Airsoft and training

for me i dont think it comes close to practicing for real gun use. on mine at least the bb always curved. we did used to have airsoft wars which were fun but the only benefit i gained were some welts.

What Would you gain from them???

I've used them a few times when instructing MOUT training to new soldiers, or kids in the recruiting program. They are more effective than the old MILES (laser tag) gear that the Army uses, but that's about it.

MOUT is Military Operations in Urban Terrain. Basically tactical entry and room clearing procedures. Its mostly taught as a four man stack, but sometimes two man teams, as well as individual movements.

I recently picked up an airsoft replica of a S&W M&P 40 from Sportco for $32 that was a total impulse purchase. I got a lil indoor backstop for $20 and then a cheap lil laser for another $20. Now I have a spiffy little indoor shooting range, namely my couch. For added fun I grab some pop cans and head out to the back yard to stand em up and knock em down.

Is it as good as real shooting? Of course not. But trigger time is trigger time. And grip, sight picture & all that good stuff works the same with an airsoft gun as a real gun. If I aim right with my airsoft, I hit stuff. If I don't, I miss. Sounds like good practice to me?

Consider how many hours pro shooters will spend dry firing. Many will do an hour or more per day. That's all to reinforce the fundamentals... grip, sight picture, trigger control, etc.

Besides all that, it's just plain fun. Ain't that good enough?

I am a member of the NWATT airsoft team in my area. Airsoft offers excellent training and shooting choices. Is it as good as the real thing? Of course not. I personally miss the noise and kick of real steel, But it can come close. There are new gas blowback rifles that give a light version of kick and noise.
It is also alot easier for me to go to the back yard and throw out a few hundred bbs when ever i want then it would be to try shooting in my back yard with any of my firearms.
Airsoft is being adopted by the military and police forces for training. NWATT did a convoy training exercise with the army and it worked out very well. We trained them to duck and they got alot of welts. lol
If you go with good equipment (I recommend Echo 1 for beginners) and accept range reduction, (convert yrds to feet) it can work very well. Besides, you can shoot your friends and they will remain your friends

1shot said:

What Would you gain from them???

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What won't you get from them?

Goin to the range and shooting paper targets gives us a sense of power but does it really do anything to improve our ability to defend ourselves with a firearm? Maybe some trigger control, sight alignment, a few of the basics.....

I shoot a lot with Airsoft. I found replicas of my Glock and a Railed 1911 that fits the holsters I use for my nighthawk. Draws, manipulation of the weapon, reloads and target transitions can all be done in a basement or backyard for a lot less. New shooters get to pull the trigger wihtout developing the flinch associated with actual recoil. If you think thats bullshit, check out the stories of the Japanese IPSCC athletes who place extremely high without the benefit of any live fire training.

Insights uses airsoft during their Close Quarters Confrontation course and I was very impressed. An outstanding mix of firearms and defensive tactics.

My wife uses them a lot as well. She's home a lot while I work and since everyone knows where we live, we've had more than a few assholes show up on our steps. I used airsoft to get her some reps as to how to handle situations. Now she's comfortable with her real Glock and I have confidence in her abilities.

I believe that most, if not all of your defensive handgun training could be accomplished with airsoft. I'd rather spend 2 hours shooting moving, thinking bad guys (not just grab ass, but structured scenarios) than 2 days punching holes in paper. To be ready for the fight, we have to challenge ourselves. I'm already a jedi ******* knight when it comes to defeating the forces of paper, I've never lost. :thefinger:

Pick up Ken Murray's book "Training at the speed of life". Learning to shoot is good but learning to fight is better.

I'm coming up for a week boz, and you can train me.. which models of 1911 did you pick up?

sunofnun said:

I'm coming up for a week boz, and you can train me.. which models of 1911 did you pick up?

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Come on up! I have lots of scenarios in the book. Bring Jared. the 1911 is a railed Caspian. It's an all metal gas gun but I have no idea who made it.

haven't practiced with one, however one time my ex was wearing some little shorty sweat shorts and I shot her in the ass with one, it was great for a laugh

id like to find an airsoft that is semi auto..mine i have to pull the slide every time

try KWA, cost more but works real well, or WE has many models that work well too. you can get co2 mags for em if you want it simple.

im not loooking for something that intense, dont really want to spend 300 bucks on an airsoft model of a gun thats around 400