What makes a gun a good "first gun"

[Joefahey]

Well, looking through here, I see people saying certain guns are good first guns. Compasred to guns that aren't good "first" guns. Why is it a good first gun? Is it less powerfull? And I know for some first guns, some cheap $50 electric gun is understandable, but why would you call some AK-47 thats over $250 a good first gun? Why not just get some other better gun thats not for "first-timers".

 

Sorry if something like this was mentioned in the sticky. I checked for it.

 

THANKS!

[IronWolf]

Everyone has their own opinions on what constitutes a "good" first gun, i think a good first gun is one that is well built, sturdy/ rugged and reliable.

[Sledge]

The reason some guns are regarded as good first guns is they have a reputation for working straight away without the need for adjustment or modding. TM AEGs have this rep, as they tend to be solid performers from day one. CA and ICS AEGs have a rep of being more for experienced airsofters, as they can have a quirk or two to work out. With GBBs, some work fine from the box (TM, KWA/KSC) whilst others (KJW, HFC, WA) can need a little work, or more maintenance. Hope that helps.

 

[onidemonXLR]

Well, Joe, a good first gun usually is used in the context that is

1 easily usable,

2 a good all around gun (not a gun that fills a certain nice (like a sniper)

3 Allows the new player get familiarised with all of the roles a player can take on the field before he becomes more specialised, like a sniper or a support gunner.

4. The gun is mechanicall sturdy and not hard to care for.

5. The body of the gun wont break or develop barrel wobble.

 

Basically, the gun needs to be strong internally and externally, and be a jack of all trades so the player can experience all aspects of the game before he becomes a specialised player.

 

Edit: Price is also important. One thing that keeps paintball so mainstream is the cheap guns. People think DANG! that gun costs $300! Well, a good pb gun costs $150-$200, but youll pay 200-300 dollars in paint over the couse of a year, while airsoft bbs only cost about $50 a year. so, AS- $350 for one year pb $500

A good entry gun should be from $250-$320. and should have a metal body.

Read some reviews before you buy, and i reccomend the TM FAMAS, TM AK-47 or TM AUG for a nice starting gun.

 

Hope this helps!

 

ONi

[R22Master]

A good first gun is one that makes you want to buy a second gun.

 

If the first gun is expensive, unreliable, prone to certain weaknesses and failures, inaccurate, no fun to shoot, or just plain flimsy, you can bet it wasn't a good first gun.

• The first gun should be fun to shoot - as much fun as possible

  (TM Desert Eagle Hardkick, TM Hi-Capa, and many full-auto GBBs are good examples of this - AEGs are not).

   

• It should perform well and reliably - failures are the number one reason why someone would be unhappy with their purchase

  (TM GBBs, Most AEGs, and a few KWA/KSC GBB models are good examples).

   

• It should be affordable - a gun that gives you "buyer's remorse" or doesn't live up to what the user considers "value for money" is going to have most people SERIOUSLY reconsidering this hobby

  (Western Arms Pistols and most Moscart launchers are prime examples of this). Of course, there's nothing wrong with someone buying one of these as a second or third gun if they are sure they want to spend the cash - they will have a much better insight to make this decision by then.

This is a good topic and could be very useful to people on the forums. Thread pinned

[Shao14]

The good first gun question is just another way of asking what's the best gun, hoping to get less flame if they try to word the question differently.

 

I agree with what R22Master said, and for me, the UHC heavy weight M9 is a very good first gun, and it made me want to buy another one.

[HEaT]

Glock pistols are good first guns. Relatively cheap, reliable, easy to work and fun to shoot!

[lilwoggy]

dont forget that it has to be comfortable as well!

[Ghost_Rider]

dont forget that it has to be comfortable as well!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Problem with that is how you define comfortable.

 

I love how the P90 looks, but it feels weird in my hands. My team mate thnks it's the dogs dangly bits, however.

 

My M4 is the single most comfortable weapon I've held, but it's too heavy for Hardcore.

 

So you can't say that any one gun is more 'comfortable' than another, but only wether it is comfortable for the end user.

[Tef]

and i would like to add, dont be a cheapskate like me trying to mod your first gun straight away to aviod some of the cost. that will only end in more expenses. dont plan any major upgrade for the gun until you bought it and have it for a while, because that way you can truely understand what you really need and not what you think/imagine you need.

[Erestheux]

I have a Well MP5 SD6 for my first gun. Its plastic and shoots pretty slowly and will probably break in the near future, but I wanted to have something without spending $300+ on a pro gun. It cost me $51 shipped and I think it was worth every bit of it.

 

I have no problem looking into and purchasing a new, pro airsoft gun now. And I will, and perhaps I can sell my MP5 to someone for like 20 bucks. Although I don't even want to, because its still fun to have.

 

So I'd suggest getting something relatively cheap, but remember: you're gonna get what you pay for. That way, if you don't like airsoft, you would have just wasted $50 instead of $400. If you like airsoft, you would have not wasted anything.

[lilwoggy]

i meant it has to feel comfortably judged by the person who will be usin it

[War Beast]

A good first gun should be something that a player is comfortable to be with:

 

1.) Light enough for use in a day long skirmish.

2.) Strong enough to withstand impact.

3.) Durable enough so you don't need to worry opening the gearbox every now and then.

4.) Easy cosmetic upgrade.

 

Most of the gun are the samilar in performance, but oftentimes, we are dictated by the popularity of it. Having the classic AK47 maybe out of style when paired with the MP5s and M16s but it is still an AEG.

 

Common error that newbie think (i myself is included) is to have a powerful and modern looking gun that is good for showing off and skirmish. But here is my suggestion that might help you reconsider spending for a gun that is not necessary anyway.

 

1.) Consider the length of the gun. We tend to go into upgrading it fully to have a range, but a short gun will never increase more distance unless we spend another $$$ to buy RIS or silencer or anything that can extend the barrel. A powerful upgraded gun with a short barrel will more likely send the bullet fly off course.

 

2.) Consider the usage. Common error a newbie think is that he want to buy or modify a gun that can be used all around (sniping, assault, CQB, etc.). To be honest, there is no such thing as that. We must define what type of game we play and buy a suitable gun. It will be ridiculous to buy a PSG and use it in assault. PSG remains as sniper and M16 for assault, and so on.

 

3.) Learn from your gun. Don't go around telling yourself that "how i wish i have his cool MP5" or "wow! his gun can shoot 600psi" Every gun is made uniquely by it's manufacturer. Don't go off from the design. I for one thing fell for this. I upgraded my AK47 to full and spend around $$$, and all i really need was a 210 upgrade only coz my style of game is infiltration. I can't use my AK on most CQB scenario (which i love best) coz of the overpower of the M150 spring. I spend also for the scope which is unneccessary. To sum it up, i spend more to satisfy my ego rather than having a gun that i really need.

 

4.) Learn to stick to your gun. There are many new attractive models, but your old gun is still the best. Why? Simply because:

a.) you are used to it's weight and balance.

b.) manuevers that we learn from certain situation in the game.

c.) sentimental value.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I need to change my gun coz i want to join the CQB

[Fizzer]

For what its worth i think R22Master's opening statement is spot on.....I have a friend who has an AEG R36, and a couple of Glocks, one is full auto GBB, he brought them to my house for me to peruse and use in the garden while they werent my guns, it was the first time id been in contact with airsoft guns, and due to their performance and based on what i was shown about their maintenance, i am investing in a G18C, and have arranged to purchase an M16A2.

 

So yes a good first gun is a gun that makes you want to go out and kit yourself out like Rambo .

 

Thats just my opinion, for what its worth.

 

Mick

[Arghoslent93]

My first was a Mk 23 springer, I love it so much that I'm gonna get a Mk 23 NBB, and then a FA-MAS. The Mk 23 is comfortable to hold and to shoot, and it can take a fair amount of abuse (dropping it on the floor, and such). So I'd say a gun that is sturdy, comfortable, realtively cheap, and one that keeps you entertained and ionterested in the sport, would be a good first gun.

[PaNdeMiC]

• The first gun should be fun to shoot - as much fun as possible

  (TM Desert Eagle Hardkick, TM Hi-Capa, and many full-auto GBBs are good examples of this - AEGs are not).

I agree to this, but nevertheless I'd say AEGs have more advantages than GBBs if you want a good first weapon. GBBs are rather bad first weapons imho. Using a GBB as your primary weapon has some significant disadvantages:

• Magazines are too small, you have to change mags every like 25 shots plus you have to buy lots of spare magazines and they're almost as expensive as AEG hi caps
• As your only gun is a gas gun you'll spend lots of cash for all the gas while AEG users simply recharge their batteries

Whereas using a GBB as your secondary weapon is very useful, since you don't need as much power, accuracy, gas and mags as you only use the gun in emergency situations.

[R22Master]

Indeed, but in that point I was only talking about the "Fun" aspect of shooting. Most people would agree that AEGs don't provide as much satisfaction and amusement while shooting as GBBs.

 

Some of the benefits of AEGs were covered in my next point down...

 

• It should perform well and reliably - failures are the number one reason why someone would be unhappy with their purchase

  (TM GBBs, Most AEGs, and a few KWA/KSC GBB models are good examples).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Of course, if the buyer is a skirmisher then AEGs have a bit more of an appeal, but that wasn't the point of this thread

[PaNdeMiC]

Ye sure, I just wanted to say that I generally consider AEGs to be better first weapons and just quoted one of your points. I'd say it does matter to say that if you want a good first gun to skirmish, you might be better off with an AEG so you can already cut down your choice a bit

[R22Master]

NOTE: This thread is NOT for people to make recommendations of what specific gun is good for a newbie. We already have a newbie gun thread for that and the link is below...

 

http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/forums/inde...p?showtopic=255

 

 

This thread is for discussion of what things make a gun a good first gun.

 

Cheers.

[dalazz]

like many ppl said, it should be sturdy and reliable!

[airsoftfreak14]

You should choose a gun that best fits you, most comfertable with your grip, and make sure it's sturdy.

[Crayzee Gurl]

im new to airsoft, and im a poor student, so i cant afort TM at the moment. I have just got a cyma g36, (called the m85), [i was wondering if tm magazines were transferable? ] As a newbie, it works ok, i skirmished it once, a bit slow, but ok.

[the anniemester]

my first gun was a G26, light comfortable but yet powerful (on green) thats what makes a good first gun,

 

why would you like a g36 as a first gun????????

[Supraman]

Na, G36 is a fine first gun. I had the TM one tho, g36c, its a tad large, but it looks cool, and it does its job. And lets face it. Its a little different to the hoards of m16s and m4s around.

[PenGun]

You should choose a gun that best fits you, most comfertable with your grip, and make sure it's sturdy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hehehe hence my purchase of a WA Beretta PV as my first ever gun!!! Good God its so purdy!!! And its really comfortable.

Dunno if its "sturdy" because I dont abuse it much at all, I baby it at skirmishes in a full-size holster, but its pretty damn reliable.

Maybe you should also consider that a first gun should be ULTRA-reliable so your confidence increases with use instead of having

a gun that might fail just as you start improving. It mightn't look the part but it should ALWAYS shoot. Older, proven models are

probably your best bet as the issues with them have been ironed out at this stage but the lastest guns (like the TM P226 etc.) are

pretty much bulletproof out of the box.