Starter gear?

[NAC]

Hey guys can you recommend a starter setup for me? I will be running with M4 mags.

[Wilkie]

As a starter set up, all you need is a set of ballistic glasses. past that you have a million directions you could go in. Any specific thing you might be wondering about?

[NAC]

I'm looking for a suggestion for Plate carriers, bdu's and pouches. And what kind of goggles would you suggest for wearing over glasses.

[Zack The Ripper]

In all honesty I would stick with airsoft replica gear for now. Basic gear.

Start with a chest rig and play some games. Take a look at what other people are using and what you think would work for you.

You ultimately need to design your gear around your play style, and you won't know what that is until you start playing.

I'd say start with replica gear first because it took me nearly three years to find a setup I liked before diving in and dropping a grand on legit gear. Keep in mind depending on how serious you play you will be looking at a plate carrier or chest rig setup; both if you are going to be doing lots of MILSIM or changing between outdoor and indoor play (bulky plate carriers, while cool, aren't good in the woods for a long duration). Then you are looking at a belt line setup, possible drop leg setups (if that's your thing), and then head gear. Then you have pouches to buy, and all the other accessories you still don't have.

It's a process, it takes a long time, and it costs lots of money. Welcome to airsoft.

[Hectic]

If you really want to know what you need the best thing I can suggest is get a big cap and run your gun with that, plus 2 or 3 low or mid caps just in yer pockets or on a simple belt with some MOLLE pouches, see what feels like it's missing and build on that. A lot of guys run plate carriers to either emulate or simulate a certain condition but from a straight player point of view it is overkill, they are hit as f**k on the coolest of summer days and also can be prety heavy depending on what kind of "plate" you run. Even a small chest rig and hydro pack gets hot. Try with almost nothing then buy what you need.

[Fenrir92]

As others have said, start with being as minimalist as possible to learn what your play style is and to prevent overheating. You will figure what set up works best for you after a few games.

Originally Posted by NAC

And what kind of goggles would you suggest for wearing over glasses.

Although you should start off with replica gear, eye protection is definitely something you SHOULD NOT cheap out on, buy a reputable brand.

I would suggest Revision goggles as they come with a variety of options. They offer Asian fit, fans to prevent fogging, and most importantly for you it might fit over your glasses. If not, they do offer the option of attaching prescription lens using an insert.

[Slodin]

it really depends...you need to play ONCE so you have an idea what you need..
any replica PC would do..like condor gear..(i personally have good exp with this brand)
youhave to figure out what KIND of PC you want to run.
I had like 3 PCs, but now i'm just running around with a battle belt because I figured out what I do often in games..I don't need a PC...they rather slow me down alot

pouches - M4, depends on what you like again. open top pouch? closed velcro pouch? are you going to run a radio? pistol mag pouch on the chest or not? pistol holster on your chest or leg or hip? nobody can help you much tbh..

BDU - I don't run these, so no comment.

Good ankle support boots, good airsoft rated eye protection

oh right, make sure you know what color you want to go with...
OD, Tan, or other camo patterns before youbuy any gear....

[Handsonic]

Originally Posted by NAC

Hey guys can you recommend a starter setup for me? I will be running with M4 mags.

An m4 and a mask.

It would help to know your budget, but basically what you really need is a gun, battery, GOOD charger (not the cheap crap that comes with some guns), padded gloves, a helmet, mouth protection, and eye protection. Everything else is just extra.

[AnthonyG]

I play a lot more outdoors than I have indoors. I started with a plate carrier, and am now switching to a chest rig because it is lighter and better for wooded environments where the extra "padding" of a plate carrier really isn't necessary. Something like a condor recon chest rig makes an excellent starter rig; but like others have said you don't need any of this fancy gear to play your first game.

If I was starting again I would probably invest in a good set of pants as one of my first items. You should be able to find a $25 pair of used military surplus pants that will have pockets large enough to carry m4-sized magazines. Some of the newer (better-designed) pants made by Propper or Tru-spec would be a bit more expensive, but will come with extras like lower-leg pockets, reinforced knees or integrated knee pads.

I would second the battle belt idea. You will maintain much more maneuverability as opposed to a full plate carrier, which you can always add later.
Go play a game, see what other people are using.

[Curo]

I think a little differently than everyone here, but ill elaborate.

If you want to get playing right away and want camo/a rig/gun then heres a solid option set

1. Set of woodland BDU's woodland is cheap, plentiful and effective. Traditional US Woodland still looks cool on everything from everyday troops to Special forces.
2. A boonie hat (seriously, this or a cap, keeps the sun off you and keeps you cool)
3. A set of googles that you like. Revision is a top notch brand and makes all kinds of fits. I wear either my contacts or revision with the Rx Carrier.
4.A chest rig/or carrier of your choice, rigs are generally cheaper.
With woodland wear either OD or tan. I prefer tan here but it all works
5. pouches
6. Good boots
7.Hydration, canteen w/pouch, water bottle in mag pouch, hydration w/ bladder it doesnt matter this is the most important thing.

You can play with less but this is what id recommend.

Woodland BDU top, bottom, boonie hat.
Good pair of hiking boots/miltary boots, either works.
Chest Rig or Carrier, i recommend the rig though. MOLLE (Or pattern 82 webbing)
Start with 4 mid caps, 1 in the gun, 3 in pouches.
Hydration bladder. (you can use a canteen or water bottle though up to you.
Revision Eye Pro

Woodland set? 70-100 bucks easy
Chest Rig 50-100 (with pouches)
Hydro, depends expect 30ish though
Eye Pro, revision is 100, best there is though, you can go with other rated brands for cheaper, just make sure full seal and ANSI rated.
Boots? 100
Gun+4 mid caps.



Remember allot of the guys running real steel gear or high quality clone stuff, acquired it over the years and after trying out different stuff, dont ever think you need to get everything at once. Oh and try to stick to patternless gear makes it easier playing for a different coloured team. I switched from multicam everything to solid tan gear with multicam or Cadpat BDUs




EDIT: Basically take your time choosing gear, and remember you dont need to be kitted out the same for a skrimash as you do a milsim. Milsims may require specific BDU or have other requirements. And often require you to carry more gear, youll learn what this is and how to, with experience.

[Chillyrabbit]

Originally Posted by Curo

Woodland set? 70-100 bucks easy
Chest Rig 50-100 (with pouches)
Hydro, depends expect 30ish though
Eye Pro, revision is 100, best there is though, you can go with other rated brands for cheaper, just make sure full seal and ANSI rated.
Boots? 100
Gun+4 mid caps.

For eye pro if you are willing to do your research you can try to buy surplus goggles on ebay, they can go for about 20-50$ last time I checked. But you have to do your research and make sure its real surplus and not chinese copies disguised as surplus.

Revision eye pro do not allow you to wear any glasses under any of their products you either have to wear contacts or use their Rx prescription insert. The only goggles I know of off hand that fit over glasses are ESS Land ops.

[lurkingknight]

you don't even need bdus... just wear whatever if you're running skirms.

gun
mags
something to carry mags
something to carry water
eye pro
boots
extra battery

done.

Do your gear shopping at games lol. See what other people are wearing and see if that kind of setup would suit you. Find some cheap stuff to mess around with to see if you like running it before investing in expensive real stuff.

[NAC]

Originally Posted by Curo

I think a little differently than everyone here, but ill elaborate.

If you want to get playing right away and want camo/a rig/gun then heres a solid option set

1. Set of woodland BDU's woodland is cheap, plentiful and effective. Traditional US Woodland still looks cool on everything from everyday troops to Special forces.
2. A boonie hat (seriously, this or a cap, keeps the sun off you and keeps you cool)
3. A set of googles that you like. Revision is a top notch brand and makes all kinds of fits. I wear either my contacts or revision with the Rx Carrier.
4.A chest rig/or carrier of your choice, rigs are generally cheaper.
With woodland wear either OD or tan. I prefer tan here but it all works
5. pouches
6. Good boots
7.Hydration, canteen w/pouch, water bottle in mag pouch, hydration w/ bladder it doesnt matter this is the most important thing.

You can play with less but this is what id recommend.

Woodland BDU top, bottom, boonie hat.
Good pair of hiking boots/miltary boots, either works.
Chest Rig or Carrier, i recommend the rig though. MOLLE (Or pattern 82 webbing)
Start with 4 mid caps, 1 in the gun, 3 in pouches.
Hydration bladder. (you can use a canteen or water bottle though up to you.
Revision Eye Pro

Woodland set? 70-100 bucks easy
Chest Rig 50-100 (with pouches)
Hydro, depends expect 30ish though
Eye Pro, revision is 100, best there is though, you can go with other rated brands for cheaper, just make sure full seal and ANSI rated.
Boots? 100
Gun+4 mid caps.



Remember allot of the guys running real steel gear or high quality clone stuff, acquired it over the years and after trying out different stuff, dont ever think you need to get everything at once. Oh and try to stick to patternless gear makes it easier playing for a different coloured team. I switched from multicam everything to solid tan gear with multicam or Cadpat BDUs




EDIT: Basically take your time choosing gear, and remember you dont need to be kitted out the same for a skrimash as you do a milsim. Milsims may require specific BDU or have other requirements. And often require you to carry more gear, youll learn what this is and how to, with experience.

What about a set for CQB? Would there be any differences? And what would you recommend as a second gun that could work in both woodland and CQB? Ive been looking at the Umarex licensed G36c, the APS UAR and the Magpul PTS PDR-C.

[Ricochet]

Let's put it this way, if you're on a budget, then your better suited getting one set of high quality and versatile gear. You can design a load-out quite easily that'll work well for CQB and outdoor play. Having lots of guns and gear is great, but having better is better.

For example, barrel length has little effect on performance, if of course your hip-up and nozzle grouping is adequate. Then it's a matter of a quality barrel and balancing your guns sheer power with high quality BBs. Other upgrades can come later. Once the BB stabilizes in the barrel, more length does nothing, so it makes sense to have your gun no longer than necessary. Although I love the look of long guns I run an M4 CQB/CQC rifle. I could throw a standard M4 barrel on, but it's not likely going to increase performance, so I run a CQB rifle indoors and/or outdoors.

Gear should be fitted to you and to encompass your needs, looking cool should be a tertiary goal. Besides, most modern gear is pretty cool and there are always ways to make it your own.

Things like eyewear, boots, gloves, sling, etc, are easy to buy with a universal functionality in mind. Once you get into BDUs and rigs, then you need to put a little more thought in it. For BDUs I only recommend the modern type of dry-wick integrated up and integrated knee pad lower. They are easy to find, low end real steel are on price par with replica, or nearly, and they are the most versatile. They work well in hot weather and in CQB. If you get cold, just throw and extra layer on and you don't have knee pad straps digging into the back of your joints.

For things like a plate carrier and battle belt there are many, many options. Modern, fast attack plate carriers are very light, very comfortable and very modular. Not only are they the best option for proper weight dispersal, but they can carry up to 48 hours worth of gear nicely, and obviously, can be easily rigged down for CQB, where you're still loaded with water and magazines, plus whatever you need. Same goes for battle belts.

[AnthonyG]

Originally Posted by Chillyrabbit

For eye pro if you are willing to do your research you can try to buy surplus goggles on ebay, they can go for about 20-50$ last time I checked. But you have to do your research and make sure its real surplus and not chinese copies disguised as surplus.

Revision eye pro do not allow you to wear any glasses under any of their products you either have to wear contacts or use their Rx prescription insert. The only goggles I know of off hand that fit over glasses are ESS Land ops.

$30 US for Revisions:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/produ...gles?a=1869196

I paid $100 for mine. Mind you there is probably shipping on top of that, but if you get some BDUs as well, could be worth trying?