Entering the Tactical Room at Forest City Surplus Canada, you can’t help but feel impressed by the immersive atmosphere. From combat and survival gear to the collection of sword and blade replicas, nothing was more captivating than the wall of airsoft guns. They are known as the airsoft store with the largest selection in Southwestern Ontario.
Coming from an archery background and as an online gamer, it was extremely impressive to see these guns in person. Granted, I knew nothing about airsoft before visiting Forest City Surplus Canada, and the only gun I ever used was when I had a chance to target practice with a full-bore rifle.
What is Airsoft?
So here is your crash course on airsoft guns. These are not real firearms, though they are styled similarly to the real thing. They can be either gas-charged or battery- powered, and they fire BBs, which are spherical projectiles typically made of plastic or resin. By no means can these airsoft guns fire actual bullets. They are nowhere near the power level of their firearm counterparts.
Often, the military and police use airsoft rifles in simulations since they can have the same weight and feel of actual guns. Aside from the variety of attachments, you can enhance your airsoft experience by adding the recoil or blowback you typically feel with rifles and Submachine guns.
You might think, well if these guns are not dangerous, why do I have to use them in an indoor space? First, you wouldn`t want to accidentally hit anyone when firing your airsoft gun. When people play airsoft war games, they typically wear body protection and do not fire at close range.
Also, someone who doesn`t know you are using an airsoft gun may mistake it for a real firearm. While you can purchase airsoft guns publicly, they should not be used in public settings. When you are traveling to and from the field, airsoft guns should be carried in a gun case or gun bag. You need to be 18 years or older to purchase.
Get to the Good Stuff!
Now that we are a little bit wiser, we can head into the range. Must-have is protective goggles, optional are face masks; you don’t want to chip a tooth from a ricocheted airsoft BB.
First up, the Taurus PT99 Airsoft Pistol
This is one of the most popular guns at Forest City Surplus Canada; it features realistic firing blowback, the ability to fire in full and semi-automatic modes, rugged metal design, and velocity up to 390 feet per second with a maximum range of 46 meters. The PT99 also uses 12g CO2 cartridges to propel the BB.
The PT99 definitely has a solid feel, so be sure to use a two-handed grip. Because of the blowback, you definitely want your arms and shoulders set and have a solid stance. You can use the fixed front and rear sights to help line up your shots and when ready, pull that trigger.
Next on the list: Elite Force M4 CFR Next-Gen Airsoft Gun
A different league than the PT99, the M4 CFR is a battery-powered, mid-range assault rifle. The M4 CFR features fixed front and adjustable rear sights and four Picatinny rails. It is capable of firing BBs up to 385 feet per second, and it can switch between semi-automatic to full-auto with the flick of a switch. This airsoft rifle is designed for close quarter battles.
The full-metal design and textured grip give the rifle a weight of about 5 pounds. It has an extendable stock for when you want to switch up to outdoor battles. What was impressive to me was the degree of this gun’s accuracy and speed. Thankfully, there was no blowback using the M4 CFR, which added to the precision of the shots, even in full-auto.
Working on your Precision
One of the benefits of using tactical range was the target screen. It shows you the real-time performance of your shooting, from how many BBs you fired to their position on the target. Granted, it was my first time using airsoft guns, but I was obsessed with trying to hit the bullseye. I was disappointed not to hit the jackpot this time, but there is always the next shooting session!
From my performance, I did have a concentration of shots to the left of the target face, which gives me some clues as to how I can adjust my form more next time.
Final Thoughts on Airsoft
Initially, I did have reservations about shooting airsoft guns, be it my upbringing or my preference to bows. I was just completely out of my element. Mike, the Tactical Supervisor, was a huge help in letting me ease into the experience. He ensured that I had a little orientation so I knew what I was doing, and he monitored my session. Safety was a strong requirement of the experience. He ensured that I wore protective gear at all times in the room, switched to safety mode when the gun was not in use, and unloaded all BBs and unused CO2 from the guns.
Visiting the tactical gun room is an excellent way to demo the airsoft guns, perfect your shooting, and get awesome gear to enhance your airsoft experience. I would definitely recommend going in and talking with the airsoft guys to learn more.
My personal preference is the assault rifles. I found that they gave me more precision in my shots, and I had a better shooting form than when I tried the pistol. What I am excited to try next time is the sniper rifles!
