How to Create a Successful Airsoft Team

If you want to start an airsoft team, you need to players, after you have players you need to decide on their roles. The traditional roles are Team Leader, Tactical Officer, Rifleman, Support Gunner, Designated Marksman, Recon, and Sniper. This article is here to help you decide on your teams player roles.

The Team Leader is the captain on the field. He will not only play as another role during the game, but will need to be the uncontested leader. There is only ONE Team leader, however the Tactical Officer is the Team Leader's go to guy. He will also play a standard role during the game, but will be there to assist the Team Leader in making decisions and if need be fill in for an eliminated Team Leader.

Most players on the team will be good old fashioned infantry. The Rifleman is your standard infantry unit. A semi automatic airsoft rifle with good accuracy at a mid distance is a standard in the field. It is also recommended that a Rifleman carry an airsoft pistol for a sidearm. The Support Gunner is the heavy infantry unit on the team. Fully automatic weapon with a high rate of fire and large magazine will be a defining characteristic of this player. The Support Gunner will roam the field or be strategically used to lay down suppressive fire to aid his comrades. The Designated Marksman is the teams most effective non sniper combat threat. This specialized infantry unit shoots from long range, but unlike the sniper the DM is engaged in main combat instead of staying covert. Generally an accurate shooter combined with an effective long range semi auto rifle will create a good DM. Depending on your team's style of play and size you will want 1 to 2.

Recon units main role is to assist the other team members, generally one or two will do. Recon is all about setting traps and gathering enemy intell. Generally you want a fast and agile player in this role. Generally a Recon Role can be supplemented by carrying a pistol and/or a shotgun for close quarters combat and fast action.

The Sniper. One of the most feared tools in an airsoft game. The Sniper should have a high powered and highly accurate airsoft rifle as well as a dependable side arm for close quarters engagements. Camo becomes more essential for this position. The Sniper's key role is to tactfully take out opposing targets based on the recon and instruction of the team leader. As a covert unit, depending on field size, one is all you will need. See our article information on Airsoft Sniper Tactics.

We hope that this will help your team function well. Feel free to comment or email us with questions!

Maintaining an airsoft gun, the right way!

You want to get the most from your gun and you demand the highest performance. Preventative maintenance can ensure that you are getting top performance as well as make sure that your gun lasts the long haul. Mistreatment of your airsoft gun will surely lead it to premature retirement.

The barrel of your airsoft gun is crucial to keep clean at all times. After a day of using your airsoft gun, clean the barrel thoroughly as any sand or dirt can cause severe damage. Spray silicone spray into the barrel and hop-up chamber clean the inside of the barrel using your cleaning tool and the outside with a rag. Make sure to respray the barrel after cleaning. Taking care of your barrel is more than just making sure that it is clean, making sure that you are using quality BB's is just as crucial. Low quality BBs break apart easily and that leads to jams, stripped pistons, and chipped gears. High quality BBs are sold at airsoft specialty retailers and will minimize jamming, improve FPS, and improve firing accuracy. For more information read our article on selecting a quality airsoft BB.

After each game you will want to decompress the spring or gearbox, releasing the pressure from it; this will keep your spring strong. If you have an electric airsoft gun, decompress the gearbox by firing the empty gun several times in semi-automatic mode. Be familiar with your gun as some guns even have a button to decompress the spring. If it is a spring airsoft gun, all you need to do is not re-cock your gun after your last shot. If your gun is already cocked at the end of the game just shoot it once and do not cock it again. For gas or co2 airsoft guns, remove the fuel source and be sure there is no pressure in the airsoft gun by safely discharging it to ensure the pressure has been entirely released.

Make sure to clean your clip or magazine regularly as well. Electric and spring guns utilize a spring to push up the airsoft bb's in their magazines. Keeping the magazine empty when not in use to keep the spring inside the magazine strong and ensure proper functionality for a long time. Gas magazines should be left with pressure in them as to keep the seals intact and prevent them from dry rot (never use the release valve to release gas as it could freeze the o-ring and damage it).

Oddly enough, batteries play a big part in the longevity of your gun. Make sure that if you ever need to replace the battery you select one with the correct voltage to your gun. Using a battery with higher voltage can over work your gearbox and possibly damage it. If you use a battery with a voltage lower than your gun is rated for you will loose performance or it may not even power it. The mAh of a battery dictates how long it will power your gun in one session. The higher the mAh, the longer the battery will last and the higher the rate of fire (rof) will be. When you first charge your battery charge it all the way up and then make sure to drain it completely. Then fully charge it again (make sure not to over charge a battery, a standard wall charger will not stop when the battery if full this leads to damaged battery cells). This will ensure a good battery memory. Another important aspect of having your battery charged correctly is when your rifle battery is low, it's easier for the gearbox to "lock up" which can lead to damaged internal components. To avoid these issues, keep your firearm appropriately charged and stop using the rifle when battery life is low. We carry a large supply of high quality batteries at overtairsoft.com/performance.

If you follow these simple tips your airsoft gun will last longer and will be more reliable. We also recommend that you have your airsoft gun's internal maintenance done every 4 to 6 months by an professional.

Giving the gift of Airsoft!

If you are considering giving airsoft gifts this holiday season, or anytime for that matter, you are in luck. During this holiday season we at Overt Airsoft have put some of our best products on sale! These are some of our best airsoft deals of the year. There is a sale product geared towards just about everyone from airsoft beginners to advanced players. Remember are here to help you decide which package is the right fit, if after reading this article you still don't know what gift is right for your airsoft lover email us at support@overtairsoft.com.

You will need to do a little recon on the gear your airsoft enthusiast already has to see what gift would be right for them. If you still feel a bit confused by all the options, there are always gift certificates available from our trustworthy airsoft website. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to find out what package is right for you:

• What is your budget? You can always go with a gift certificate for your designated amount or find the package that fits your budget. If the packages are outside of your budget, consider looking at our accessories and tactical gear.

• What's the skill level of the airsoft player you are buying for? Beginner or advanced? Generally a cheaper gun will do the job just as well for a beginner.

• What role do they play on the field? Do they consider themselves a sniper or field player? Or maybe they're a field player who is interested in trying out a sniper position? This will dictate the kind of the guns and gear they will use. Airsoft Snipers need a high degree of accuracy, while field players require durability, agility, and a high rate of fire.

• Where do they plan to do most of their playing? Indoors or out? Large or tight spaces? What will be more important... range or maneuverability? Choose an airsoft gift that will compliment that terrain.

• What kind of gear do they currently use if any? With this information you'll be able to identify holes in their selection, replace worn out gear, or find upgrade opportunities for their current airsoft gear.

• Lastly, is there anything they have been hinting at? Do you want to ask them what they want? The element of surprise is always part of the fun, but if your airsoft enthusiast has some gear on their wish list, it's always good to know.

Airsoft has a lot of variety, so it can be a bit overwhelming at first, but with our support team and holiday airsoft gift sale we will help you find what you are looking for at the right price!

Happy Holidays from Overt Airsoft!

Are airsoft guns safe?

Many people are concerned that the realism of airsoft guns makes them dangerous. Parents need to be aware that giving an airsoft gun to irresponsible children can put their child in danger. A question that we often receive here at Overt Airsoft is: "Are airsoft guns dangerous?" Just like any other firearm the real answer is no, but if misused they can be.

Airsoft guns shoot plastic bb's at moderately high speeds. Many AEG airsoft guns are fully automatic. The speed at which airsoft bb's come out of airsoft guns is much slower than the speed that bb's are shot out of a traditional bb gun. This speed allows people to shoot at each other with airsoft guns safely, under certain conditions.

Protective safety goggles are a must. Never shoot an airsoft gun at someone not wearing proper eye protection! The biggest danger of injury you can receive from airsoft guns is getting shot in the eye. Wearing safety goggles are considered by most to be sufficient eye protection, however some players will use a paintball face masks to ensure eye safety and add ear protection. You can see our line of airsoft eye protection here. Other than eye protection airsoft protective gear is more your preference. The average player is able to tolerate a direct hit to the skin from an airsoft gun, but it can still break the skin if the variables are all right. Most players would not recommend wearing anything other than a long sleeve shirt and jeans as much thicker clothing and you would not feel the hit.

Eye protection is not the only way to protect your self. The majority of injuries while playing airsoft come from the terrain. Rocks, trees, old metal or wire, sinkholes, or other natural hazards in the playing field. Before you begin playing clear out any potential safety hazards possible. Otherwise just make sure you are always aware of your surroundings. Walk the field if you are not familiar with it before your game, this will help not only with safety but strategy as well!

Those are just a few rules to keep your airsoft experience safe and enjoyable. Airsoft is not a dangerous sport as long as everyone playing understands safety. For any questions airsoft related feel free to email us at support@overtairsoft.com and we will do our best to assist you in a timely manner.

Check out our post Paintball and Airsoft Safety Tips for more valuable safety information and remember OvertAirsoft.com for all your airsoft needs!

What you need to know about airsoft sniper rifles!

Airsoft sniper rifles are used for precise fire on long range targets. Airsoft snipers take well aimed shots from carefully chosen positions for maximum effectiveness. Airsoft sniper can be hugely important in most airsoft games do to their ability to deliver precise fire on targets at great range. To be truly effective in this role an airsoft sniper rifle must be both powerful and accurate as necessary tool for distance and effectiveness. There are many important factors in deciding on the best airsoft sniper for you. Airsoft sniper rifles come in the standard airsoft styles of AEG, gas, or spring powered. Most airsoft snipers choose to use a spring rifle, but the choice ultimately comes down to user preference, funding, and the situations they use their rifle in.

Most players will use a spring sniper rifles due to their relatively low cost and high power without sacrificing power or accuracy. Spring rifles use manual strength to cock the rifle so they can have a heavier spring. A heavier spring will increase muzzle velocity meaning the sniper has much more power. Stealthiness and the ability to keep their position from being compromised is key to a snipers success and a spring airsoft rifle is also generally much quieter than its AEG or gas counterparts. Spring sniper rifles are however single shot weapon due to the fact that it is manually cocked. This puts a spring rifle at a disadvantage when it comes to the rate of fire. If you have read our article on airsoft sniper tactics we highly recommend that you carry a side arm no matter what type of rifle you use for firefight situations. Most airsoft snipers feel that rate of fire is not a big issue compared to the benefits in cost, power, accuracy, reliability, and stealth.

Electric airsoft rifles (AEG) offer a couple features that cannot be found in other types of airsoft sniper rifles. Electric powered sniper rifles offer an incredibly high rate of fire, an extremely high rate of fire is not often a need for a sniper, but it does allow for some flexibility. For this reason an AEG sniper rifle can sometimes double as an assault rifle if the situation so requires. High-end electric sniper rifles can also offer power and muzzle velocity that rivals their spring and gas powered counterparts, but you will definitely feel the cost.

Gas airsoft sniper rifles can provide an excellent combination of muzzle velocity and rate of fire while remaining within an affordable price range. While most only fire in semiautomatic do not offer a fully automatic fire mode, a gas sniper rifle can reach muzzle velocities exceeding 400 and even 500 feet per second. This gives you a chance to have the best of both worlds without spending excessive amounts. There are issues with noise and functionality with gas airsoft rifles that may not always make them the best choice for everyone.

Accessories can also be important factor in selecting an airsoft sniper. A hop-up system will give your rifle extended range thus improving its effectiveness. Optical accessories such as scopes can greatly increase long range accuracy. Rails and mounts underneath the gun barrel can be used to attach bipods for further stability and comfort while aiming.

Although choosing a quality rifle is important, it doesn't necessarily make or break a sniper. There are many factors that determine the success of an airsoft sniper, the rifle is just one of them. If you're going to purchase online, we always recommend going to a quality supplier. Overt Airsoft will always go to the extreme to make sure you are satisfied.

Selecting the right BB for an airsoft sniper

There are plenty of aspects that come into play in becoming a successful airsoft sniper and using the right ammo for your gun is one of them. Your gun is only as good as the person pulling the trigger, but the ammo you're using better be right for the application!

First things first, finding the heaviest BB your gun can handle without its reducing effective range. BBs generally weigh from .12g to .43g. so how do you know what is best for your gun? It's going to take a little trial

and error usually, but there are a few basic guidelines. First of all, never use a weight below .25g. Most if not all experienced airsoft snipers will say that even this weight is too light, but it is a good place to start. The most common weight for a stock airsoft sniper will be about .27g-.29g. Any heavier than that and you will generally need to upgrade your gun internally with performance airsoft parts.

After weight you also will need to factor in sizing. Keep in mind that shooting the wrong size ammo (even being off by a fraction) in your gun could cause some serious damage! To find the right BB for you first check out the diameter of your inner barrel. A precision barrel usually runs 6.00m

m to 6.04mm. What you need to keep an eye on is selecting a BB that has a smaller diameter than the barrel including a +.02mm variance for a little security. Firing a BB that is too large is going to give you a jam in the barrel which is going to give you a huge issue in the field.

For an airsoft sniper sniper getting high end BBs is going to be important if you want the most out of your gun. High end BBs are shaped to higher standards and polished to a high extent which makes for more consistency and accuracy. Like mentioned above you may have a little trial and error when finding the right ammo for you. Check out some of these quality airsoft BBs to find the one that's right for you! Check out our selection of airsoft snipers too!

Airsoft Sniper Tactics

A sniper is an infantry soldier who specializes in shooting from a concealed position over longer ranges than regular infantry, often with a specially designed or adapted sniper rifle. It requires skill in marksmanship, camouflage and field craft. This article is about adapting sniper techniques to make you the best airsoft sniper you can be!

1. Side arms are very important to any airsoft sniper and do not require a very substantial investment. An airsoft pistol is the perfect side arm when you get into a cornered up situation. You are in a lot of trouble if your position is compromised and you get charged by the enemy with nothing to defend you but your airsoft sniper rifle. While spring is better for a sniper rifle a side arm should be at least semi-auto. One thing to remember is to bring an adequate amount of ammunition for your side arm as well as your rifle (Usually 2-3 magazines depending on magazine capacity, especially if it is semi or fully automatic).

2. Know your rifle. Spend a good amount of time getting to know your gun, and how the shots react to wind, temperature, and different distances (make sure to understand it's maximum accurate distance). Take a while to get to know your gun and make sure to practice to stay comfortable with it.

3. Know that being an airsoft sniper is not as much action as other positions of the field. A common misconception is that airsoft snipers get the most kills, when in reality, they usually get the least. Keep in mind that you might not be racking up the kills, but you can take out important targets (take out high priority targets such as Commanders, VIPs, etc.). Know that observation and sabotage are some of an airsoft snipers main goals in the field.

4. Modify your rifle to fit your needs. There are tons of aftermarket parts for airsoft sniper rifles. The main things a sniper should consider are purchasing quality BBs (More information on selecting the right BB for your airsoft sniper), a tight bore (around 6.01), and usually a new hopup. These will ensure tight compression and maximize distance and accuracy.

5. A good scope can be a snipers best friend. Make sure you get a scope that suits your rifles needs. You don't need a hugely powerful scope for an airsoft sniper. A 3-9x40 scope is plenty of scope another good coice is a 4x32 scope (try to get a scope with adjustable parallax). Bipods are extremely helpful in assisting with accuracy and also they are great for sustaining a stable shooting position for long amounts of time. You should also learn to make rests in the field from branches, sticks and other natural features.

6. Camo is important, without it you will not be able to conceal yourself from enemies and opposing snipers nearly as effectively. A gillie suit is a great form of camo that is textured to help you blend in even further. In making a gillie suit use generic colors, brown, lighter brown, greens, and even some blacks and dark greens and browns. Wearing a light mesh top layer is great in helping you create camo as you can utilize a good variety of the sticks, leaves, and dirt from the field to make a very effective gille adapting your camo to your surroundings.

7. Buy some good ammunition. High polish BBs are important to an airsoft sniper to prevent damage as well as improve accuracy. Higher weight equals higher accuracy and lower FPS, but heavier BB's carry more kinetic energy for longer distances, check out our article on selecting the right BB for an airsoft sniper.

8. If you have the opportunity before the game to check out the field make sure to do so, the more you know about the field the more of an advantage you have. Make mental notes of good sniping positions, good observation points, where trails lead, when you will have open shots, and well covered areas for a retreat.

9. Stay low. Prone is going to be the best position for an airsoft sniper as it conceals most of your body and you blend into the surroundings better as a more natural shape.

10. Always have an escape route. Good cover and an escape route is more important than field of vision. When you find a good field position make sure to have at least two routes of escape.

11. Keep on the move. Staying stagnant will ruin your cover. Take one or two shots and then move on. Even if you don't think your position has been compromised, it may very well have been. Remember that you have a limited amount of shots you can take before you are compromised, make them count. Use surprise as best you can, move about a lot and attack from many different angles not to let them rest easy.

12. Recruit a spotter. Not only can he help you in a firefight, he can also help you spot possible targets. Weigh your options here as tt is easier for one person to move unnoticed than two, but considering your competition and terrain you should be able to make the right choice.

13. Find a way to communicate with your team, especially if you are working with another team of snipers. Whether you run radios or if you create signals based on showing colors find something that works for you. You are part of a team and part of your job as a sniper is recon.

Tuck Stoffers