Gear recommendations for a spotter in a sniper/spotter team ...?

[mark23]

Hi, I am quite new to softair and I am looking for gear recommendations for a spotter in a sniper/spotter team.

So far I have used a highly souped up KSC G17 (Nine Ball Pistol Hi-Precision Barrel 6,03mm, G&P KSC G17 Metal Slide and Outer Barrel, Killer Studio Hi-Flow Valve & Hammer Spring, Firefly Recoil Spring Guide with Bearing, XS-24/7 Big Dot Tritium Express Set Sights) to practise my defensive shooting skills in FOF scenarios. All the softair related equipment that I have sofar is a pair of protective goggles/mask and a holster for the Glock ...

Now a friend of mine asked me to join their team for some games. As I have had basic military sniping training when I was a conscript in the German army I bascially know the job and the gear normally carried under these conditions. However, being out of the army for almost ten years and quite new to airsoft, I lack the experience to choose adequate, airsoft-specific gear.

I was thinking of a modular chestrig (coyote brown or olive drab) together with various pouches, a holster for my Glock, mag pouches etc.

What do you think about Spec.-Ops™ Brand Gear? They seem to have all the pouches I need (G17 M.P.H. Multi-Position Holster, OP Order Logistics Pouch, G17 Mag Pouches, X4 System Mag Pouches, Deluxe Light Sheath, Large Medical Pouch).

Which modular basic rig would you recommend as a basis? The chest rig should have some room for a notepad, a map, pencils and other 'administrative tools', probably similar to the JUST Commander Chest Pouches?

Or should I go for an 'all-in-one package' like this (Guarder MOD Commander Recon Vest) or this (Ranger Armor Vest) with an additional holster for my G17???

Thanks!
Kind regards
mark23

[Farmboy]

Take a look at the HSGI Warlords, they would suit your need.

http://www.oneshottactical.com/merch...tegory_Code=CR

[SockMonkey]

+1 to HSGI Its about the nicest bit of kit ive seen, bombproof and will last a lifetime. If you want MOLLE then go with the Warlord if you dont I would suggest the Denali from what I was reading here or maybe lightfighter some Yank sniper teams are using them. They wear them slung low and when setting up for a shot they un buckle them and swing them forward as a brace.

Just keep in mind sniping in airsoft is not like real sniping. It has its place but ive only seen a handfull of people who can do it well. Its hard to do the field craft because your not waitng 2 days to take a shot.

[FOX_111]

If you want to go down and dirty about sniping in airsoft, you will need a ghillie suit. Wearing a vest under it won't really work well.

Other than that, feel free to buy whatever suit your needs. Most of the copy stuff made for airsoft are ok for the game.

[CDN_Stalker]

Originally Posted by mark23

Hi, I am quite new to softair and I am looking for gear recommendations for a spotter in a sniper/spotter team.

So far I have used a highly souped up KSC G17 (Nine Ball Pistol Hi-Precision Barrel 6,03mm, G&P KSC G17 Metal Slide and Outer Barrel, Killer Studio Hi-Flow Valve & Hammer Spring, Firefly Recoil Spring Guide with Bearing, XS-24/7 Big Dot Tritium Express Set Sights) to practise my defensive shooting skills in FOF scenarios. All the softair related equipment that I have sofar is a pair of protective goggles/mask and a holster for the Glock ...

Now a friend of mine asked me to join their team for some games. As I have had basic military sniping training when I was a conscript in the German army I bascially know the job and the gear normally carried under these conditions. However, being out of the army for almost ten years and quite new to airsoft, I lack the experience to choose adequate, airsoft-specific gear.

I was thinking of a modular chestrig (coyote brown or olive drab) together with various pouches, a holster for my Glock, mag pouches etc.

What do you think about Spec.-Ops™ Brand Gear? They seem to have all the pouches I need (G17 M.P.H. Multi-Position Holster, OP Order Logistics Pouch, G17 Mag Pouches, X4 System Mag Pouches, Deluxe Light Sheath, Large Medical Pouch).

Which modular basic rig would you recommend as a basis? The chest rig should have some room for a notepad, a map, pencils and other 'administrative tools', probably similar to the JUST Commander Chest Pouches?

Or should I go for an 'all-in-one package' like this (Guarder MOD Commander Recon Vest) or this (Ranger Armor Vest) with an additional holster for my G17???

Thanks!
Kind regards
mark23

Load up your G17 with 0.29g or 0.30g BBs and watch the performance jump up!

Originally Posted by FOX_111

If you want to go down and dirty about sniping in airsoft, you will need a ghillie suit. Wearing a vest under it won't really work well.

Other than that, feel free to buy whatever suit your needs. Most of the copy stuff made for airsoft are ok for the game.

I disagree. You don't need a ghillie to snipe. Claymore has picked off far more people from long range with his long gun wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and standing against a tree than ANY of the airsoft snipers I've ever seen on the field.

MOST of the time I see people in ghillie suits, it's when they think they're invisible, which they're not.

A sniper/spoter, used properly, can make a big difference. Most people don't use them properly, however.

[DuffMan]

Bear in mind, you'll be prone a lot, having 3 mags stacked up against your chest can raise your whole profile.

[SockMonkey]

Highspeed here has explained how the pro's do it here http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=22925

This is of course if your using a denali or silverthorne. Have no personal experience with the silverthorne but the denali is the catsass. Tho if your using a bolt action its overkill. the sniper waist pack would do it. Hope this helps.

[mark23]

OK. Thanks all for your input.

Originally Posted by SockMonkey

[...] I was reading here or maybe lightfighter some Yank sniper teams are using them. They wear them slung low and when setting up for a shot they un buckle them and swing them forward as a brace. [...]

Originally Posted by SockMonkey

Highspeed here has explained how the pro's do it here http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=22925

This is of course if your using a denali or silverthorne. Have no personal experience with the silverthorne but the denali is the catsass. Tho if your using a bolt action its overkill. [...]

I like this approach. Makes sense. I remembered having read something like that somewhere, too, but I could not remember any brand or product. Thanks for bringing this topic back up to my mind.

I really like the modular concept of the HSGI Warlord V-4. I conclude from your recommendations that HSGI is well worth the money. Therefore I think I'll give it a try. Now on to the pouches ...

We will not use full ghillies except when employed in defensive positions, we have made similar experiences as described by MadMorbius.

IMHO, softair ranges are usually rather close owing to the weapon characteristics of course. As a primary weapon I will either use an AUG, a G36K or a M4. However, I expect both my binoculars and radio to be the most important equipment, as surveillance and scouting will be the main job for me. If the 'others' get close enough to shoot at me, I either blatantly failed in spotting the 'others' or directing our team's shooters properly.

Originally Posted by CDN_Stalker

Load up your G17 with 0.29g or 0.30g BBs and watch the performance jump up!

I know, I know. :mrgreen: :innocent:

Again, thank you very much.

Regards
mark23

IMO, what a Airspoft Spotter should have.

A decent rifle, either something like a M4, SR25, M16A4, something like that. Can either have optics(red dot or a short range scope, like 2-4x magnification).

BDUs an booniehat, gloves.


Ghuillie suit if you want, but not necassary. If you do want one, maybe just get a ghullie jacket, an keep it in a daypack so when you do want to use it put it on, when you don't pack it back up.

Binos, I don't think any engagements are actually that great a distance so not needed, unless you wanna carry dead weight.

Camelbak.

For LBE, I woulden't really go for a chestrig, since you can't really get prone with them comfortably, etc especially the huge ass ones. I'd go for webbing, maybe a tac vest like the LBV-88.

Maybe a small daypack for carrying other kit for a short milsim, or something and a larger pack for longer milsims.


Most importanly, know your job. Provide protection, an help ID an call out targets for the shooter.


Also, make sure there are no shiny parts on any of your kit or airsoft guns, etc. An that everything is done up tight, so no strings dangaling around an that nothing is gonna make noise.


IMO, don't bother with any of that fake body armour or pistols.


ALso, don't try to do any rambo type stuff an think you can take on 20 guys or whatever. Pick your targets wisely, an if you gotta pullback have a route already picked out.

Cover the rest of your team. Also, you don't always have to be shooting to be effective,you can also be used as scouts/recce an radio to your team about where the other team is, how many there are, etc

[FOX_111]

Originally Posted by MadMorbius

I disagree. You don't need a ghillie to snipe. Claymore has picked off far more people from long range with his long gun wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and standing against a tree than ANY of the airsoft snipers I've ever seen on the field.

MOST of the time I see people in ghillie suits, it's when they think they're invisible, which they're not.

A sniper/spoter, used properly, can make a big difference. Most people don't use them properly, however.

Agreed. Different style of play. Both efficient when used right.

A general rule when sniping is to wear something confortable when in the prove position. Also having enough room to carry everything you need for an extended time is a +.

[SockMonkey]

Cant go wrong with TT pouches. Paraclete and of course HSGI make nice kit, pricey but nice.

I totaly agree with comfort being paramount. I disagree with chest rigs not being good for a sniper role. This is the wonderful thing about kit. Different stuff for different folks.

If you want HSGI email Gene over at http://www.hsgi.us/ they do all sorts of patterns and stuff.

[mark23]

Originally Posted by -MikeL-

[...]
Binos, I don't think any engagements are actually that great a distance so not needed, unless you wanna carry dead weight.
[...]
Most importanly, know your job. Provide protection, an help ID an call out targets for the shooter.
[...]
Cover the rest of your team. Also, you don't always have to be shooting to be effective,you can also be used as scouts/recce an radio to your team about where the other team is, how many there are, etc.

The area we will be playing in is large, rather open terrain with some wooded and bush areas, it's not flat, so you have look-out points. The "entry" points for the teams are appr. 2 km (!) apart. That's why I think binos might be important.

Therefore I would define my main task as: scout/recce, coordinate, protect.

Thanks!
Cheers
mark23

[CDN_Stalker]

Keep in mind binos don't work worth a crap when wearing goggles. Leave them at home, use your rifle scope instead.