Beta Site #2: As mentioned below I've been working (kinda secretly) on a new website layout/design for some months now. The new 'Beta site' is now open for use, although it needs more work as of yet.

This news page will most probably not be updated, so please do refer to the new website from now on for all the latest news and information.

So what's up then? Bolding going where no-one has gone before and all that... I've completely reworked the website into a more useable format.

Over the coming week or so I will be phasing the this (old) design out completely, but rather than kill it off, the old site will be running in the background for the phasing period just incase the unthinkable happens and things go tits up.

On the official 'launch' date the old website 'as-is' will be effectively frozen. All content on the old site will be moved to the new one, so don't worry about anything going walkies in the move, we are loosing nothing and gaining a heap of new features.

The big changes are:

Forums: The subscription to my previous forum service now expires in just under 3 months. Without going into too much detail, the EZ forums, although plain and simple, weren't up the job anymore and had outlived their purpose.

User submission: To make things easier the new site allows readers to submit new links, news, feedback, and photos for the gallery.

News: The main drive (and appeal it would seem) of the website is the news pages. The new news system is sorted under sensible hierarchies. Firstly everything is sorted by categories, which is the world location i.e.: · Canada · Europe · HongKong · Japan · Taiwan · UK · USA

Then the news is sorted by type:

-ArniesAirsoft Updates
-Equipment News
-Events
-Manufacturer news
-Retailer News
-The Rumor Mill
-Skirmish Site News
-ArniesAirsoft News
-Websites updates

Not only does this make things easier to find, but people can quickly filter out news they don't want.

Design: For anyone that isn't that computer savvy, the engine is basically PHP-Nuke (a popular CMS), and the forums are php-bb. Although based on popular engines I have strived to produce something that is not only good looking, but unique, useful, functional and fast.

Additional Features:

• CountryMap - If you click on the link 'See all Countries' on the LHS you will be taken to a map that shows where al the visitors are in the world. Should anyone be online, they will be shown, and member's names are also shown on the map. Good fun and all that, not that useful though..
• GuestMap - stick a pin in the map and leave your name and location. Better than a guestbook!
• PhotoGallery - more advanced, auto generated thumbnails more categories, easier to browse.. you name it - it's better.
• Encyclopedia - currenly only contains the Airsoft Glossary, but is going to be extended (work in progress)
• Events Calendar - catalog of all events present and past. Allows reader submission of events, and events are also listed on the front page for that month.
• FAQ - I have heaps to already typed for input for this one, but I have some more work to do on it yet. Web Links - a lot of very helpfull UKAN members have helped me with inputting a large chunk of the complete links list (I have more to do). You can submit your links online, and it's all sorted, rated etc. Not a particularly new concept, but it will be the largest directory out there soon.
• Translator - been on the webpage for ages, but I've brought it into the 21st Century.
• Currency Converter - want to work out munitary values online? Use this handy gadget. Present exchange rates are also on the fornt page - automatically updated.
• Weather - well.. it's the weather. Login and set your own profile, and you get your local weather. I've keyed in over 27,00 cities worldwide, so you should be able to find your local city/town. Day and 5Day forcast available. The front page will show you your weather once you've logged in and set things up.
• UKAirsoftMap - Frank's wonderful map of UK skirmish sites.
• Chatroom - I've setup a new chatroom. I haven't had time to include chat/irc instructions yet, but the interface is fairly intuitive anyway.
• Feedback - send in any feedback you like via an online form
• Recommend us - If you want to send a friend an email to recommend the site, you can use this handy feature
• Private messages - part of the new forums, simple and easy to use
• Site Statistics - loads of useless figures, maps and graphs, but lots of pretty colours.
• Airsoft Apparel - get your own Arnie "thong" - one size (kinda) fits all.
• AvantGo - You can sign in your PDA to the website and haul around the latest news in your pocket. This has been tested with my iPAQ, but not much else, so feedback here would be helpful.

Other news- such is the wonders of these things I have setup the front page to show the headlines from the US (Airsoft Network), and from the Squad-X website.

If there's any problems, please let me know in the site errors section of the new forums.

Beta Site: I've been working (kinda secretly) on a new website layout/design for some months now. The new 'Beta site' is now open for use, although it needs more work as of yet.

At the moment a lot of the articles need resizing to work with the new layout, and a lot of relinking needs to be done. The Encyclopedia and the FAQ are unfinished, but provide an insight into what they will look like eventually. I won't bore you with endless lists of features as it should be obvious what's new. The new design features a new integrated forum, simply create one login, and you have a profile on the website, that remembers who you are and your own preferences.

There is lots more for me to do, but I do feel that the new look is ready for public viewing, and use. The Beta Site is still that.. 'beta', so please don't expect everything to work as is. I have spent a long time reworking the site, a lot of the code is written by hand, and all the work is my own. Any code that is used (however little) should be credited where needed.

I can't think of much more to say at the moment. This really has been a huge slog to get the new layout to where it is now, and only a someone that has experience with such complex websites can appreciate. Enough banter from me, please do get stuck in and try the new website out - hope you like it!

If there's any problems, please let me know in the site errors section of the new forums.

Updates? Sorry for not providing any updates recently, a few of you know that I'm hard at work behind the scenes working on something for the website, but I'm afraid most of you won't see the changes until it's done later this week. Sorry it sounds a bit cryptic, but I'm a bit pushed for time at the moment.

SOS @ UKAN: Please take a moment to check out the SOS over on the UKAN pages. Sadly there have been some recent gun related events that may trigger a 'knee jerk' anti-gun/replica reaction, and a rather sensible petition has been put forward by CJ:

"...Welcome to the UK Airsoft Network's petition to Her Majesty's Government over the worrying knee-jerk proposals to ban replica weapons. It is unclear at this stage whether their intentions will include the banning of airsoft-type guns, so UKAN is taking pre-emptive action in an attempt to stave off such an occurance. If you support the letter, please fill in your details at the bottom of the form, you details will eventually be printed off and posted, along with the letter, to the persons mentioned below. Thank you..."

Happy New Year! Well I know it's not New Year quite yet, but I won't be posting tomorrow as I'll be celebrating the New Year, and therefore somewhat indisposed. I'd therefore just like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Email down: It looks like one of the UKAN routers partook in far too much merriment (and beer) over Christmas, and is suffering from a major hangover. There will be engineers out on the 02/01/03 to fix the problem, but until then all email to arniesairsoft.co.uk will bounce. If you need to contact me you can get me at arnie@airsoft.me.uk.

AirsoftTactical M2 .50cal: J at AirsoftTactical dropped us a line about a new project that they are working on - an M2 .50cal Heavy Support Weapon. Here's the latest form them:

"...Just wanted your readers to be the first to know that we a currently working towards a finished prototype of the Airsoft M2 Heavy Support Weapon. This is a replica of the Military .50 cal. heavy machine gun. For those unfamiliar, several forces around the globe have been using the gun for decades as a large mobile chalk, or battalion support weapon. For years several variants of the .50 cal. have been produced, and upgraded. We are focused on the latest version (faintly illustrated here in the early blueprints).

A high-quality CNC production company will actually be manufacturing the unit. Our business will be the official retailer and distributor of the new product.

We completed the prototype in early December, and are now finishing the internal firing and feeding mechanism... Those wondering about the weight, just simply put: It is called a "Heavy" Support Weapon for a reason. The original real steel is over 85lbs., and thus-far the unit is just under 50lbs. (This measure does NOT include the remote air tank, ammo can, ammo can carrier, or tripod mount). It is meant for a stationary gunner pod or vehicle mount. Once completed, we will test the prototype housing with the new internals and other accessories in development.

O.K., for those that caught it, YES it will be air-fed. Our first efforts with an AEG box were just too problematic, and costly. We wanted a higher rate of fire, and faster feeding; something a box mag couldn't keep up with... Back to the drawing board, the "classic internals" were just the cure.

At 50lbs., and almost 3 meters in length, this is not for everyone. However, those who are interested, will enjoy the accuracy, rate of fire, and the overall detail. Most of the unit is made from billet, and stock aluminum. Although the manufacturer is adhering to a realistic look, it has much cleaner edges and machining than that of the real steel. Some improvements over the real steel have been made including a new grip cover, trigger assembly, exterior hardware and of course, ammo cost.

Negotiations are still pending for cost, so it's pointless to guess at this stage. We are shooting to finish a limited production run by May of 2003. Some photos will be leaked later as the final finishes are made to the pieces, prior to production. Because of the production wait, we are now working on the internal carriers for our new project due in mid-late 2003, the Airsoft Mk19 40MM Full-Auto Grenade Launcher.....

For those having any questions you can e-mail me at sales@airsofttactical.com, stop by, or call the store at 770.992.7137 ..."

Christmas break: Well I hope everyone's had a tremendous Christmas and is looking forward to the coming new year as much as me. ^_^ I'd like to thank everyone that helps to make this website what it is, with news and reviews that are sent in, and especially to CJ for the hosting that he provides for us. Without the support of the readership, put quite simply - this website wouldn't be what it is today!

CO2 powerlet adapter update: I've updated the CO2 powerlet adapter review with some reader's project photos (project by Christopher Boddy):

"...The CO2 adapter is proving very popular for use in Airsoft projects of varying types, so I thought I'd start by publishing reader's project photos and information here. First up is a Glock conversion by Christopher Boddy. You can see (in the inset picture) that it originally started out as an original CO2 adapter, but has since been modified somewhat. ^_^ ..."

SV Xcelerator "Fluted": WesternArms have announced a new product that they plan to launch on the 15th January 2003 and are now taking pre-orders (thanks go out to David Boyt for sending in the news).

The SV Xcelerator "Fluted" comes in two color sets, one is all black, and the other is with a silver frame and a rather fetching red grip (the silver model is shown here).

The new model is based on the tried and tested SVI hi-cap frame, comes with hop-up and an R-type valve setup. the official specs are listed as:

"...The Xcelerator/ silver model has a grip frame in newly red color. This adds up to their company tradition, which make the pistol more evolve into sporty. We also reproduce the barrel assembly in gold color according to the inspiration of the Scheumann Barrels, which distributes AET hard coated bronze barrel to Strayer-Voigt Inc. The slide, made in heavy weight material moves vigorously..."

G36 @ CombatClub: William over at CombatClub has dropped me a line about an offer that they now have on the new TM G36c. CombatClub have 10 of the new model available at an offer price of 189.99USD each.

War IV offers: James Lo of War IV Company has sent in an update about their latest offer, this month their company has a special price for the Tokyo Marui M4A1 with one 1700mAh 9.6v batt set for 205USD.

War IV Company are located at Shop 7, G/F., Yan On Building, No. 1 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong.

SAS update: It's been a bit since we've heard from Special Airsoft Supplies (SAS), and I've just received an update from him via email. Here's the latest from Mark (glad to hear you're back and feeling better mate!):

"...Would like to let you know what has been happening with me over the past few months and what we are about to do for the Airsoft community as well.

As you have probably heard I have been out of contact for the last few months due to me being diagnosed with cancer in September, and being in and out of hospital for the three following months. This all was too much for me as you could probably imagine and things got behind because of it. Anyway I was given the final all clear by the doctors last Wednesday and am finally getting my strength back. All the people that have things outstanding have now been cleared and I am now back into the business full time. As such I have been doing a little homework and have managed to wangle a few deals.

For starters we can now offer Guarder tactical equipment for nearly half the usual price, here are some prices:

Modular Tactical Vest £55
SOG CQB Tactical Vest £75
Tactical Thigh Holster £20
Tactical 3 Point Sling £12
M2000 3 Gun Case £30
Polycarbonate 2001 Glasses £20

We are also going to be doing something with the prices of the AEG's as well just into the New Year.
I will give you an idea in that all guns will be supplied WITH A BATTERY & CHARGER, here are some of the prices.

M4A1 £220
G36c £225
AK47 £215
P90 / P90tr £215
Hicap mags will be reduced to £22 and standard mags will be £15.

On the pistol front we are dropping prices to the following sort of prices:

KSC Glock 26 £80
W/A Prokiller MkII SV5 £130...."

Christmas break: Well seasons greetings to everyone - I don't think I'll have the time to plug in the laptop between now and Christmas Day here (but you never know), so if I don't post again, have a great Christmas everyone!

TM deceleration adapter: TM have finally announced their "deceleration adapter" (thanks go out to Nuno Miguel Cabeçadas for letting me know). Due for release on 20/12 it's a cunning little innovation - this muzzle adapter has the ability to decrease a BBs power by up to 50%. Basically all it does is provide back pressure on the BB.

We were having discussions about this little widget when I came across it a few months back. It's nice to see that we were thinking along the right lines - anything that touches the BB would introduce inaccuracies, and most probably cause the hopup effect to fail. Here's the latest (translated) from TM themselves:

"...The fact that it is devised then is, utilized the air pressure of this barrel point removal and re-installation system the " deceleration adapter ". This device, without dropping on-target hit precision without giving irregular revolution to the BB bullet which by the fact that you install in the air gun which has high bullet fast discharge function, is discharged, it is possible to make only bullet speed fall..."

As you can see from the text above, and the images below, TM say it doesn't affect the accuracy, consistency or the hop-up effect. RRP is 1,980 Yen, and it comes with 4 different 'collars' that allow different reductions in power. TM are quick to point out that the effect of the adapter is different on differing AEG models. The good news is that everyone can quickly and easily reduce the power of any AEG to make it safer for close Airsoft engagements (CQB/FIBUA).

Sopley news: I've just received an email from the lads at Sopley (CQB site on the UK South Coast) with their game dates for the coming year:

"As a Xmas present from us all, we are giving you all the next dates till July 2003, Probably the best present you are all going to get this Year!

Sunday 12th January 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )
Special Event Sunday 19th January 2003 ( Lo Cap - Pedro Event )
Sunday 2nd February 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm)
Sunday 23rd February 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )
Sunday 16th March 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )
Sunday 6th April 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )
Sunday 4th May 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )
Sunday 8th June 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )
Sunday 22nd June 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )
Sunday 20th July 2003 ( Space limited, please call to confirm )..."

Two new UK skirmish sites: I have received word of two new skirmish sites in the UK that have now opened. The first is in an email that I've received from ZeroOne Airsoft about a new skirmish site in the UK:

"...New Skirmish site open in Dorset. For details, visit www.groundzeroairsoft.co.uk. First walk-on day is free, see event dates for details..."

The second site's details came to me in an email from Gavin Fellows:

"...Just though I should let you know that a new site will be opening in March 2003. We will be running closed sessions to check the land and stuff from early January and get some power to the main site and such.

What we think is the best thing is that we will not be limited to one site and as the year goes on we will be added other locations all within an easy drive of our base in Gloucester.

We have a website http://www.airsoftcombat.co.uk the site will be updated with maps and photo's of the testing sessions as we run them. At the moment though it is only a holding page..."

TNT woes #3: I've had more emails the TNT issue. Oh dear... the news isn't good. Den are currently preparing to resend their parcels that are being held by customs.

In another email - I've received word from another source that the parcels that have been held have been incinerated. As Den are sending out new shipments it would certainly seem that hope for the return of the held shipments is fading somewhat. Here's the latest from Daniel Munoz (aka Sniper) Vicepresident of FEGE (The Spanish Airsoft Players Association):

"...Just got word from some spanish airsofters, that all airsoft stuff in the holland customs has been DESTROYED by incineration...and apparently notifications has been received from TNT warning about this. We must suppose that TNT will compensate all buyers somehow. We do not know it at the moment, but we are in contact with TNT's consumer service in Spain to see what they say us..."

Dear Santa... Spotted on LA Gunshop's homepage is news of my Christmas prezzie to be.. sod the TM G36c I'll have this please Santa! ^_^ Ed (aka Darryl Zero) has sent in this news relating to the air cocking Maruzen M870 that we were talking about on the news page here about 6 months back.

Featuring a 40 round mag and with an RRP of 9800Yen (available for around 6860Yen) this should be a real hoot of an Airsoft rifle. Built by the same guys as the APS2 series, it should prove to be very popular (and also as reliable and accurate as the APS2). If you're interested it's out on the 25th December (Yup Christmas day!).

On their news page you'll also find imagery of "...A few other things are there, including some more pics of the KSC M945, Marui G26 Advance, and Marushin 8mm maxi pistols, like the Automag, Bren Ten, Detonics .45, and Taurus PT92...". A big thanks go out to Ed for the news!

AirsoftClub G36C in bits! Algin (of AirsoftClub) gave me a ring at the weekend to let me know about the G36C - Algin and Eagle had just finished gutting the first one that they got in, to see what it looked like inside. You gotta love these guys, I'm just the same give me anything interesting and I'll have it in pieces in seconds to see what's inside. Of course that's the easy part - it's the putting back together that takes ages. I remember the first G3 gearbox I took to pieces, took me 3 hours, 1 curry and 3 beers to rebuild it. But anyway I appear to be rather characteristically waffling here - I shall return you back to the news post...

Curiously enough Algin and Eagle took around the same time to look over this new piece. News is that the G36 is held together with a mere two screws, and thankfully doesn't feature any weird custom internal parts. There's also plenty of scope for upgrades as by all accounts there's plenty of 'air leakage' in the present design. For more info (and some cool photos) checkout AirsoftClub's new pages.

Cosmic Girl dedication:

"I would like to dedicate these following pictures to my best friend: Cosmic Girl. I also want to thank Mr Arnie for his kindness: you're just too cool, mate!"

Please click on the link or the image to the right to go to the new area of the wallpaper section.

Flecktarn updates: Jo of Flecktarn.co.uk has sent in their latest updates - now there's a whole heap of updates, so many that it's not really feasable to place them here, so to read the latest updates from Jo, please Read More...

ICS AN/PEQ-2 review: I've just uploaded a review of the ICS AN/PEQ-2 that we've been talking about on the news pages for some time now. The review was kindly written by The Edge. Here's a brief taster:

"...This has been something that I (and I'm sure many other people) have been searching for, for quite sometime. Ever since the release of the Tokyo Marui M4RIS w/ mock AN/PAQ-4C, I've always wondered "Why hasn't there been a mock AN/PEQ-2?”

It took almost 2 years, but ICS (and very soon, ANGUS) have finally produced a viable alternative to the battery bag/Redi-mag solution that many M4 RIS owners face. I myself have had to mill out the insides of my Mosquito Molds RIS to fit a 9.6v 1100mAh battery..."

New IntruderShop 40mm barrel: Richard Chou at IntruderShop (aka Guarder) has kindly let me know about a new piece of kit that they are producing. Looking to blow the GB-Tech/ZEKE M203 products out of the water is the gorgeous new barrel set from them.

As it's from the lads at IntruderShop I can't wait to see it. The new product has rifling groves all the way down the barrel. Whilst you're at their website, be sure to checkout their new Digicon target cartridges too. Here's the latest from Richard:

"...Now we're developing some new items, one of them is the Metal Barrel for M79/M203 40mm Grenade Launcher. Some people may ask: "why do you want to make the metal barrel for M79/M203? There are already several products in the market, aren't there?" But we'll say: "we want to let everybody know how a ultimate metal barrel should looks like..." =)

There are some breakthrough in our CNC skills. Besides the looking, color and manufacturing precision, now the realistic rifling will be seen on our metal barrels. The attached image shows two sample pictures of the semi-finished metal barrels. There will be certainly three types of metal barrels: M79, M203 Std and M203 SOCOM..."