Archive for January, 2005

A Hong Kong manufacturer/retailer spoke to me about a possible project that they may start, but neither of us are particularly sure about the viability of the item. The suggested product is a metal body for the G36c. Now the real G36 obviously doesn’t have a metal body.. but would you as a G36 owner want a metal body to bulk up and reinforce your AEG? Price for the kit is dependant on the possible uptake as the initial cost of manufacture is pretty much the same for 1-100 kits.

To help the guys that want to make the new metal body we now have a simple poll setup in a special area in the forums that allows people to post their comments/opinions and vote either way about the idea. You will have to be logged in to vote, but guests can leave comments on the thread. Feedback on the product suggestion would be much appreciated if it’s a viable idea it will go forward.. if not, well it wont.

Alpha1 (over at Alpha55) has posted some news on his website about a new skirmish site that’s coming to North Wales, here’s the latest:

Over The Top (OTT) is a new venture and along with Tim (Timski) I hope you will give us your full support.
OTT is over 200 acres of woodland, pine wood and scrub on Anglesey, North Wales. In association with CQB Wargames we will be offering Airsoft, Paintball, Tank driving, Quad biking and a host of other activities for the enthusiast or adrenalin junky. Supported by ex serving members of HM Forces we will be offering a host of courses including, Sniping, Survival, Escape & Evasion, Management & Leadership, and Command & Control all lead by qualified personnel. This land lends itself to the more psychological than the physical type of gaming and will be a challenge for the most hardy of gamers.

We plan to hold a Battle weekend once per month with a rolling storyline and the opportunity to be part of a battle group and do night missions. The first full weekend will be held on the 11th, 12th & 13th March.

Our first Airsoft game will be held on Saturday the 12th Feb at a cost of £15 per head. We would like everyone to attend as this is your site, so make the most of it.

The site is also open for rent if someone has an event in mind please contact either Tim or myself.
Let me have your comments…

Also I will be involved in “Distant Thunder” (in but a small way) to be held in May, from what I have seen it is well organised with some good themes and ideas, CQB has my support in this and I would urge you to consider going to that weekend.. the web site is http://www.distant-thunder.co.uk/ take a look and let me know if you’re interested or book direct through the site. Alpha1, (Alpha55)

There’s been a heap of updates in the past 24hours around at various websites around the world (look what happens when I go out the office for a day.. the world goes mad with updates). So what’s been going on? Well here’s all the latest updates from around the globe:

AirsoftMart have the HFC M92 Special Forces gas blowback pistols coming in stock shortly and they are now available to pre order. There’s two versions which are both full metal, there’s the plain ‘Special Force’ and the ‘Comp’ version which features a humungous compensator on the front end. Both of these pistols clock in at around 1J out the box and retail for around 110UKP.

As mentioned on Airsoft Innovations‘ website they have a new website coming with new graphics and videos, the coming updates should be of interest to folks as lets face it Airsoft Innovations have produced some of the most innovative products to be seen on the market for a bit.

Classic Army have posted a new MP5 lamp grip on their product pages which will make folks that have been struggling with mini 600mAh batteries in their lamp grips happy. The new grip can take a 9.6v 1700mAh battery apparently without having to resort to a rubber mallet or the use of gaffer tape.

Alex’s movie page over at Element Concepts is offline for the moment as his bandwidth allocation for the entire month was kinda eaten up in a few hours. It should be back online after a bit of a rehash his end to recompress and sort things out. I’m guessing there’ll be some form of rotated file listing on there at a later date.

First Factory have added some new shots and information to their webpage of the Marushin 8mm M1 Garand, a shot of the Tanaka M500 revolver and the new WA pistols (MEU early model, and the Wilson SDS). The S&W M500 looks the same as the one on LA GunShop’s pages, so the style and look of the piece would seem to be pretty much confirmed.

There’s no price on the M1 8mm yet, but the M500 will be out in February. The guys at First are raving about the 8mm M1 and the force of the blowback, sounds like the first few that appear in stock will disappear as staff sales methinks. Marushin still haven’t updated their own website with any shots of the M1, although there are shots of some new pistols from them on their pages (go here and click the “new” links at the top).

Oh speaking of LA Gunshop. they’ve added a shot of a “new” gas SunProject XM177E2 to their pages. The gas blowback rifle will retail for around 60,000Yen and is full metal and features a hefty recoil running off an external gas supply.

The “comedy release of the week” award really has to go to this dodgy looking offering at Noda-Ya. Best I can make out (I’m no Manga expert) it’s an “Ultra-Man” prop gun, so nothing works on it – it’s just for looks. Price is around 50,000Yen. Not my kinda thing it has to be said, but I’m sure someone will be interested in it.

Phew.. nearly done. First Factory have released the new Nine Ball scope mount for the Hi Cap 5.1 pistol. The new mount looks to fit to their previously released meat tenderizer styled muzzle accessory, so if you are after one don’t forget to factor that into your purchase.

Price for the new mount is 8,000Yen, and you should be able to find in stock at your local stockist/retailer shortly.

Oops, nearly forgot it’s not a news update unless X-Fire have posted some new products. The guys there have posted a new muzzle end for the APS2, a rail mount for the Type 96, a lower binder for the S-System and a “very short” barrel for the TM M4 S-System. I thought I’d also relay that the guys at X-Fire have dropped in a line recently to say thanks to all the readers for all the interest in their products – they’ve been run off their feet with orders and interest following the news postings on here (which is always nice to hear).

Sheriff are slowly finishing their Kimber DET-1 project and have updated their news page with photos of their latest addition to the parts list which is their new CNC Kimber Slide.

Best I can make out from the text they will be doing several versions of this slide, and the slides will cost 30,000Yen each but the dates have not been set for the next production run.

Incase you missed the original story way back in December RoyalMail are planning on banning the shipping of anything gun shaped wia their standard services. JohnJo has forwarded an email to me that was circulated on the CyberShooters mailing list yesterday with an important update to the situation:

Royal Mail propose a ban on the carriage of firearms and ammunition

Postcomm are currently considering a proposal from the Royal Mail to ban carriage of firearms and ammunition and anything else that resembles a firearm or ammunition.

You can download the consultation document from here.

As those of you who have ever attempted to use another company for carriage can probably attest to, if this proposal goes through it will be an utter disaster for shooting in this country, because most other carriers won’t carry firearms or ammunition either. As far as I can see, if it goes

through, Parcel Force would be the only option to many places – if Parcel Force won’t do it, you’re stuffed.

The whole thing is predicated on a “request” from ACPO that the Royal Mail should notify them if they find firearms in the post, which is screwing up the whole distribution chain. Obviously such a request has no real basis in law, and ACPO are not a law enforcement agency.

However, regardless of that, the total lack of alternatives to many destinations makes it absolutely paramount that changes are made to this proposal. My suggestion would be to have trained postal inspectors who could tell the difference between something lawful and unlawful going through the post, which would negate the need to call the police immediately, as the package could be held back until the police can get there.

I’m sure there are other ways to solve the problem though.

It is VITAL that people make submissions. I’d especially concentrate on explaining your experiences with other carriers (try phoning a few and asking, if you haven’t got any) and how unworkable the proposal is on that basis. I’ll post my submission on the website once I’ve written it. Steve, (CyberShooters)

Obviously well thought out and well written submissions on the matter made to the relevant people mentioned in the documents could go a long way towards providing an alternative and possibly more sensible solution to RM’s current problems.

Allister over at Airsoft Armoury Ltd has sent in their latest prices on all the latest new gear including the new M93R ‘C’, lovely USPc and much loved HiCap 5.1:

Latest stock update at the Airsoft Armoury Ltd –

• KSC M93R’C’ New Version @ £119.99
• Maruzen P-99 Tactical 3 Back in stock @ £139.99
• Maruzen P-99 Fixed Slide Set Set @ £104.99
• Maruzen L96-A1 back in stock @ £269.99
• TOP Para Minimi Back in stock @ AMAZING LOW PRICE £799.99
• TOP MK2 Minimi Back In Stock @ AMAZING LOW PRICE £799.99
• NEW TOP Minimi NATO – Limited Edition of 100 pieces worldwide £949.99
• G&G G3 Metal Magazine  – 500 BB Capacity @ £24.99 each
• G&G Accessories – too many to list – Please Call
• Marui Hi-Cap 5:1 Back In Stock @ £94.99
• KSC USP Compact with Spare Magazines Back In stock @ £109.99 Pistol / £21.99 magazine 
• ALL WITH 12 MONTH WARRANTY.

All are available from stock with next working day delivery. Allister,(AirsoftArmoury Ltd)

Tony at Close Action reminded me that their site is opening to the public shortly. If you’re nearby or looking for a new place to play out, why not look them up?

New site for Close Action opening on the 6th February. The site is a fantastic woodland near Corby, Northants. The area is over 65 acres in size with bunker systems and superb gaming terrain. We will be continuing our fast all action game formats and adding more night games and military simulation days. Why not check out our site Close Action. Tony, (Close Action)

Felix over at GunsWorkShop has sent over the latest news about their now well known XM8 conversion kit for the G36c AEG:

Hello Arnie, the GWS CUSTOM XM8 conversion kit is in stock & ready to ship, it is made by ABS, whole kit surface in standard two tone colors.

We will have a new custom two colors refinished model available shortly and will update the news for this service ASAP! ” Limited Edition ”

Thanks for your support! Felix, (GunsWorkShop, Hong Kong)

The lads at Guarder/IntruderShop have sent over a shot of their upcoming new AKS74U kit that’s due to be released shortly. The Avtomat Kalashnikov 74 Assault Rifle – Folding stock version is all steel and going to cost 1050USD.

The features are listed as a steel stock, functional stock catch, laminated foregrip, fold-up receiver, stamped sheet metal receiver, steel rear sight set, and a ‘real’ type muzzle. The kit will be released at the 5th Formosa Militaria Show which will be held on the 12-13th of February.

Edit: Guarder have just dropped me a line to say that their 2005 catalog is going to be coming out soon (the RRP of the ‘U kit has been updated too).

Chris at Abbey Supply has dropped me a line about a handy little adapter that they are making at the moment – if you don’t have one you will want one. I picked up an extension nozzle with a Tanaka revolver many moons ago and guard my "preciousss" well and would literally be lost without it (probably left muttering to myself in a cold dark cave somewhere unable to fill magazines with those hard to reach inlet valves):

Abbey Extension Nozzles For Predator Gun Gas

Airsofters are telling us they are very pleased with our extension nozzle for Predator gas.

Our small extension nozzle ensures our gas cannisters fit all airsoft gas guns whatever the depth of the filling probe.

They fit tightly onto the existing canister valve to gas those difficult to reach guns, such as Western Arms. You charge the magazine without losing gas.

Machined in brass to fine tolerances they are virtually indestructible.

Retailing at about a Pound they are a simple affordable answer to using Abbey’s quality gas with all guns.

If you have not tried them why not order a batch. If you already sell them why not check you have sufficient in stock? Chris, (Abbey Supply)

AirsoftDynamics
are shortly going to be taking orders for the Hartford 2019 Blaster pistol (the BladeRunner replica). If you’re after this movie classic drop them a line, RRP is 350UKP. They’ve also got a shipment of MEUSOC grips coming in, see their news page for the full details.

THE “Blaster” from the film Bladerunner from Hartford. Based on Tanaka Bodyguard, it is a gas gun with a capasity of five shots. Red LEDs light up on what would be the magazine. Comes in an original case and individually numbered. It is probably one of the best replica of the M2019 blaster to date. Soon to be released in Japan and we will take pre-orders now, the full price is 350GBP. Please e-mail or call us if you are interested.

MEUSOC grips from Headliner

You’ve seen them on the real MEU pistols, now it’s available for your WA MEU pistol. Price and availability will be on the site soon… Yuki, (Airsoft Dynamics)

LA Gunshop have posted details of the Tanaka S&W M500 release, although the photo does look very much like a real S&W I’ve not known LA Gunshop post pictures of a real firearm in their news section before. Priced at 20,790Yen (on offer at 14,533Yen) it’s set for release at the end of February and comes with the rubber (Hogue replica) grip.

Someone did ask about the Marushin M1 Garand as to if it’s NBB or GBB; on the LA GunShop page the new M1 has been designated GAS-BLK (not GAS-BK) which signifies that they are listing it as a gas blowback model. Oh, there’s also some shots of the new WA Wilson SDS and SCW MEU (seen above) both are otu late February.

Alex (aka Permian) has updated his website known as Element Concepts with a new movie section, which at the moment includes videos of CombatSouth Urban (CS) taken some time ago (29/02/04). Some of the videos aren’t particuarly small so anyone on a landline/modem might want to look away now.

Actually at around 14Mb per video they take a fair time to download on a 512k stream. Also added to the site are photos from last weekend’s game at CS Woodland. There should be some movies from the last woodland event appearing online shortly too. The present videos aren’t hugely action packed, but do give folks an idea of the layout and style at CS Urban.

Kevin Chau at SupremeCo has sent over news and shots of some new products that they have in. First up is the HeroArms C-Mag for the G3 series, there’s also HurricanE’s M4 RIS kit and M82A1 kit.

The C-Mag has a capacity of 3000 rounds, runs on three AAA batteries and costs 110USD. The M4 RIS kit costs 110USD, and the M82 kit has yet to appear on their website, but should be there shortly.

ClassicArmy have added a heap of parts to the website today which can all be found on their news page. There’s little point listing them all as I’ll be here all day if I did but the highlights are the inert M249 belts, metal barrels for the moscart M203 (in long and short form), a metal folding stock (Para Stock) and two new handguards for the M249 and some new AEG mechbox gear sets. The CA33 product leaflet is also online.

There’s not a huge amount else going on at the moment, but if you fancy some new wallpaper for your computer EverTarget have a rather nice selection on their pages at the moment.

Back to updates here – I’ve added a wonderful (and rather long) article to the projects page by Tom Goode (aka Agit-Prop) that details his own work customising a Sun Project gas blowback M16 carbine.

There’s loads of workshop pictures included and shows what you can do with a well kitted out workshop, a little time and machineshop experience.