People often forget vital items when they go out to play. New players who have yet to learn what to expect frequently ask us what to bring too. In this blog, we will go after the essentials so that you can get the most out of your trip to your local airsoft field. For quick reference, we will provide a handy checklist, and if you want to understand the reasons behind each item, you can read on.
CHECKLIST:
- Functioning airsoft gun
- Rifle bag
- Power source - batteries (1 minimum, more than 1 is ideal), green gas or CO2
- Magazines
- Ammo: A small bottle would be sufficient for all day (though a big bottle would be a safe bet)
- BB loader (if you run pistols or mid-capacity magazines)
- Eye protection: Z87+ ANSI rating with a retention strap that must seal fully around the eyes
- Face protection: mesh mask (if required)
- Barrel bag (if required)
- Water
- Bug spray/sunblock (if playing outdoors)
- Dead rag (optional)
- Cleaning supplies
Now, let's go behind each item. Our starter kits should have all the critical essentials to get you going for the first time out at a field. Be sure to check those out.
1. Functioning airsoft gun - This seems obvious, but some people just go straight to the field with a questionable gun and aggravate themselves by messing with a gun that is not running properly. This makes things more frustrating when you have paid an admission fee and are trying to get your gun to work at the Chrono station to get your gun checked before play. Don't do this to yourself. Check your gun and give it a good shakedown before you play so there will be no surprises. If you just got the gun, you should still do this.
This is also a good time to verify that your gun is shooting within safe limits for the field you intend to play. If you take a gun straight to the field after purchase, your brand new gun might be shooting beyond the limit by just a hair, and that would be grounds for denial onto a field. This could also be an annoying situation. Our advice is to test-fire the gun to break it in or verify beforehand that your gun shoots under a certain limit before even going out to the field. The field could be a better place to try and troubleshoot or try and solve problems. If you need help verifying your gun's performance, you could always contact the shop you purchased from and verify with them what your gun shoots. At Fox Airsoft, we offer the use of our chronograph if you are in the store if you're out here in Parker, Colorado.
2. Rifle bag - Transporting your airsoft gun to and from your ride onto a field or shop means you should do this discretely for safety. Be responsible and use a rifle bag.
3. Power source - You will want to bring your gas-powered guns, green gas, or CO2. Green gas is volatile and flammable. Be sure that you do not keep it inside a hot car. If it is a hot day in your field, do not keep the can out in direct sunlight, or it could explode. For AEGs, you will want to bring enough batteries for how long you intend to play. Typically, we recommend two batteries so you have no downtime. If you do not fire very much, you might be able to get by with just one battery, but I'd rather stay out there and help out my team by not dropping out of a match, so I always bring two.
4. Magazines - Bring as many magazines as you need to stay in a round of airsoft and then some. Usually, there will be a few if you use high-cap magazines. If you use midcaps, you will want to carry more. Carrying your magazines and not having them fall out and get lost during a game may require creativity or purchasing some web gear. At our local field FAF, for example, our rounds last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, which includes a switch side, and we allow respawns. If I were playing the sections of the field with a lot more contact with the enemy team, I could quickly go through 300 or more rounds.
On the longer-range maps where I hang back and shoot, I might use well under that. When there were a lot of players that day, I could also see myself using twice as much ammo. If you are an active run-and-gun type player, you can quickly shoot more than that in a single round. Starting with about 2 high-caps worth is good for most situations, and then adjust on your future visits after you look back at how you played. High caps can be loaded in the field, so you could always carry a BB bottle.
5. Ammo - Bring the preferred ammo in weights of your choice. The type of field you play will dictate whether or not you need biodegradable ammo. A small bottle like the Elite Force 2700 count bottle tends to last me all day, though when my play style calls for more suppression fire or lots of shooting, the 5000 count is a safer bet. If you count the number of BBs you bring, you can also determine how many batteries you need to use them. Think about it!
6. BB loader - Do you run mid-cap magazines? Bring a BB loader or two. These things are always getting misplaced, so I always bring an extra. You can load in between rounds or even during a game. If you forget these and you are running mid-cap magazines exclusively, you have effectively screwed yourself. These loaders are also useful for loading pistol magazines.
7. Eye protection - Again, use only Z87+ ANSI-rated gear that is fully sealed and has a retention strap. A BB can slip anywhere. You must use full-seal eyewear. Have a buddy visually check you for daylight between your goggles and eyes. If there is a gap, it is considered unsafe, and you won't be allowed to play.
8. Face protection - Face protection usually involves a mesh mask or something similar. This may be optional in your field, but I still would recommend one because you could get shot in the teeth, and that would not be good. Some fields also require ear coverage, so we offer mesh masks that also cover the ears. A full paintball mask would count for eye and face protection, too. They will work perfectly fine but won't be as comfortable or breathable as well.
9. Barrel bag/barrel cover/barrel condom - Some fields require the use of a tethered barrel cover that will stop a shot if there is an accidental discharge. You may have to rent or purchase one to be admitted to those fields.
10. Water - Don't count on fields having all the amenities for you. Bring your water and plenty of it. Don't become a heat casualty; take in plenty of fluids throughout the day.
11. Bug spray & sunblock -These should be considered when playing outdoors. Getting eaten alive by bugs is no fun!
12. Dead rag/kill rag - These are handy to wave around to mitigate getting overshot. There is no guarantee, but it couldn't hurt to be highly visible in some cases. Elite Force makes a nice MOLLE-mounted one.
13. Cleaning supplies - This could help you if you're having some issues with jamming. Remember not to try to shoot out the BB that is stuck; it could cause damage to your gearbox.
That concludes my suggestions on what to bring to play at an airsoft field. Feel free to jot these down and use them or make your checklist to ensure you have everything you need to get the most out of your day of airsofting. Remember, you're taking the time to go to a field and spending money on admission. If you come unprepared, that will change your experience, and some people might be easily frustrated by this and carry that frustration into the game, giving bad vibes all around. We want you to be successful out there, which will set you up for success.
