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The "Snowball Effect"


wazzy1013

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Bit of a "fun" question/proposition to the board. What causes you to have a "snowball effect" in airsoft. By snowball effect, i mean, you go to make a purchase, but then realize b/c of item 1, you then need an item 2, and then a 3, or 4, etc.  Or do sales play into that role for you as well ?

 

I ask, as i was making a what i thought was a simple purchase in a vest. Well, then i needed new pouches, then a belt, then i figured there was a sale, so added this and that. Went from a simple $300, to close to $600, in which nothing is a "nicknack" but plays off of the other things.

 

 

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer 

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What you've described there my friend is a normal shop visit for prity much EVERY S'ofter I know !

You go to a shop for 1 thing and end up buying a boat load of stuff instead , nature of it bud we all on the whole have the tensile breaking strain of a wet tissue when it comes to 'shiny shiny things' and it'll always happen and always continue to happen !

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Yeah its a trick airsofters must master.

 

Pretty much, most airsoft guns will require supporting "costs" in order to field.  The more exotic your choice of weapon and gameplay the more $$$ you will require.

 

So, example, say getting a typical $300USD magazine fed AEG rifle

- Get rid of the weaka$$ stock motor $40

- Add red dot for quick target acquisition/day night use >$50

- Decent Lipo Battery >$30

- Decent Lipo charger >$60

 

Typical skirmish :

- carry is 3 hicap magazines $60

- A standard skirmish loadout is a plate carrier and magazine pouches or chest rig:  average >$80

- If G36/AK/308 platform, $40 for specialised magazine pouches

 

Milsim:

- carry is 6+ real/lo caps $60

- A Milsim loadout is a plate carrier with magazine pouches, accessory pouches, hydration >$150

- If G36/AK/308 platform, $40 for specialised magazine pouches

- Comms gear >$40

- 2nd line gear $100

- field kit (Oh boy $$$)

 

If the rifle is a GBB, around $500USD:

- Add red dot for quick target acquisition/day night use >$50

- Minimum Magazines are around 5-6 magzines, holding around 150-180 rounds. $50USD each = $250-300USD

- Then magazine pouches...
- Then spare parts for GBBs
 
Costs can really mount up.
 
The most cost effective airsoft gun is still a support weapon, as it doesn't require a lot of web gear, and generally less fuss for mags/mag pouches and etc.
 
At least BBs are cheap.
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Found an incredibly cheap, as new CP JPC 2.0 on eBay last week. Bought that. Then found an MC backpanel...so yeah, had that too...then I found an IR V Lite...oh, that would look nice on it...then a MC LBT Equipment Belt yesterday...suddenly we are in 'ouch' territory...!!!

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Get a gun and tend to build up around it. Holsters, mags, parts, spare parts.. then if I like the gun I buy another and keep one nice and beat the other to death (or try to).

 

right now im thinking of ways to tell my wife about my latest 580$ shipment that's due in a few hours. my excuse is I wanted it for the past 4 years. but that only works in my head. oh well, im booking a hotel room for the next week I think :9

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I think you keep seeing thr same pattern but fpr different reasons. I started airsoft by buying 'cool goods'. Eyecandy. Now I buyb3rd party upgrades because I keep being disappointed by standard choice of materials and quality of tooling / labour.

I'm 3years in my All UAC/Airsoft Master 5.1 hi-capa and have an All UAC/GunsmithModify Clock planned. And even then I'm not super happy because I lack the skills of GBB gunsmithing

 

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

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Is what it is, I tend to think very carefully when I pick a new weapon as not to need new holsters mag pouches ect. But I often like to have 2 of the same thing, saving up for a second tm 416c atm .Although I have recently been binging on spring pistols, at least it's a relatively cheap habit but it does take up a lot of space. 

 

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I usually have a budget whenever I go into an airsoft shop because without, I would usually walk out with another airsoft or 2 or 3 instead of just one plus accessories. I just have bad habit like that. And usually when I am in the shop, I would spend hours inside. What is worse is that mall I went to have a few airsoft shops inside and I bought from them all.

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Who doesn't? I almost thought this is mandatory.

Unless you already have a clear BOM of the current project in your mind and when you reach the shop(s) everything is available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh wait, I'm low on BBs or certain weight, let's grab some.

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My worst habit is buying extra magazines. I buy the gun, then think I need at least a second magazine, but for only a few dollars more I could normally get another gun, so I buy that instead. I end up buying new magazines only when I need to, and getting all sorts of guns I never intended to. This is made much much worse with the inclusion of alcohol.

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"If you give a mouse a cookie... he's going to want a glass of milk."

 

The "snowball effect" is definitely something I've experienced and tried to stay mindful of.

 

When I started in the hobby, I tended to run whatever gun and equipment I found was aesthetically pleasing and functional for me. As I've ventured deeper into the hobby and gotten more involved in the "milsim" side I've tended to try to match my rifle with my gear. For example, if I'm running a Block II M4, I tend to run 75th Ranger Regiment kit or if I'm running an M653, I tend to run ALICE or "old school" kit. So, for me, any new purchases always carry the possibility that a whole bunch of additional stuff will be required.

 

A bunch of folks in my area have gotten involved in the whole RUSFOR phenomenon that is sweeping the US as a result of MSW events. Initially, I resisted the urge to build RUSFOR kit pretty hard, acknowledging that if I bought an AK, I'd need the appropriate camo and LBE. I did the math and came away with a theoretical minimum $1,000 cost to do the loadout from the ground up. Looking at that number and the amount that I play (few times a year), I thought to myself "no, that's crazy to spend that much..."

 

Well, of course, a few months later I jumped into a RUSFOR camo group order... and then needed the rifle and then the LBE... and now rather than a theoretical $1,000 spent, it's a real $1,000+. 

 

So, yeah, it's tough to avoid the siren song of new kit. That said, I do tend to find that if I play enough or just go rummage around in my gear boxes, that my cravings for new kit are pretty well sated. If I spend too much time browsing the gear groups or looking at gear photos, the urge to snap up new kit always emerges. The only real antedote I find is to actually get out there and use the kit I own.

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@ Gigueand

 

I'd say that is where i fall as well. I play maybe 3-5 times a year, as i need a real urge to play, as the main spot around me i hate, ranging from the players, to the refs, staff, etc.  That said, accessories for current gear/guns are simply buy and no extras needed.

 

The new gear is the issue. I have a nice chest rig/carrier, HSGI Weesatch, that ive used a total of 1 time for about 2hrs; but im looking for something new, simply for the fact, that it doesnt and never really fit me well. I dont do airsoft brand vests anymore after dumping 300+ into them to just resell or return b/c of fitment issues. So real vests, that can fit smaller stature arent easy to come by, so at that point im usually already in the $300-500 b/c not many companies actually make a small; then add pouches, belt setup to space out the gear, etc; and im almost at $800 now. That doesnt include if get a new gun and need new pouches that arent apart of what you already own ( *cough* vector *cough*). 

 

Least i know it will hold its value being real gear, compared to airsoft copies.

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When it comes to gear, it has taken me years to "crack the code" of what works for me.

As far as finding appropriately sized kit, I'd suggest looking at modern PCs and chest rigs. A lot older kit (Weesatch/Wasatch, "tactical" vests) seem to have been designed with larger people in mind.

 

I'm 5'6" and nearly everything designed to take a "S" SAPI plate fits me. Similarly, most products sized "S/M", fit me. Crye JPC, EI EPC, Mayflower APC, VelSys Scarab, Paraclete HPC, BAE RBAV all fit fairly well. 

 

I've also trended away from purchasing individual pouches and switched to buying placards or detachable panel type set-ups. For example, I've got a single placard that holds magazines and accessories that can be used, standalone, as a chest rig or clipped onto a PC. Similarly, I've got an assault pack that can be mounted on the PC or clipped into the chest rig.

 

Modularity and scaleability are my watchwords nowadays. I've also consolidated all my gear into a single pattern rather than having a closet full of tan, green, black, etc pouches and kit.

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I run a generic color scheme. I picked the IDF Green, which is an intermediate between khaki and Olive Drab. The shirt I use is so old the collar is worn and has rips, dated 1967 with a stamped faded IDF logo on it.

 

I choose to use a generic $30 Rhodesian chest rig, or a IDF/SAF Ephod, or Pattern 58 webbing

 

This means I can be/have been mistaken for:

 

- NVA, with an AKM or PPSH

- Russian in Afghan, with the frumpy hat, navy singlet and an PKM

- Israeli, with a 10" M4, or Mini UZI or MAG

- SADF/Rhodesian, with an SLR or Sterling

- SAF, with an M16A1

- British Army Malaya, with a Sterling

 

As generic as it gets. :) Also don't have to worry much about more equipment. The AK chest rigs hold MP7, UZI, MP5, AR15, Steyr Aug, G36, G3, SIG55X, AK47, SLR, and belt ammo. So very versatile.

 

Ironically, I use my $30 rig also takes Steyr Aug mags when I go running around calling in arty fire on my other weekends, just gotta remember to switch out my 6mm or 300blk magazines out of my pouches. Best $30 spent to date.

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what if I told you condor nylon is as good as Blackhawk nylon

 

Some people will not be happy unless they dump 800 on a plate carrier from name shall not be mentioned but for the rest of us who have to choose what we buy, gear has never been cheaper and more accessible than now. all the big brands are slashing prices on their new models, which are really same as their old stuff from years ago. otherwise they wont compete.

 

even custom leather holsters are now in the sub 100$ range, unless you want kangaroo skin on it or such.

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@CZ , for me it isnt so much the actual build items/quality (granted it may of changed in recent years), but it is the fit.  The first several years i played airsoft, i used airsoft company made gear, but back then alot of it was a "1 size fit all", or even if there was a "small" it never actually was a small. So after years of putting money into that i figured id save and spend on quality, that had both warranty and actual fitting charts. 

 

Since doing so, i dont think id ever go back to airsoft quality; not that there is anything wrong with those who do; but after years of bad experiences i cant see myself giving airsoft gear another opportunity 

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Styer aug that I picked up broken for about the second hand price of a working one, that I was going to repair and sell on for the same price as I got it, because it seamed fun at the time.

 

I got some midcaps for it so that I could loan it out to friends (it got used 2 times in 5 years because I work night shifts and I can't wake up to actually go to airsoft games, also I have no friends)

I fitted a mosfet

I bought a new stock to replace the bright green one with a less offensive black one, unfortunatly the stock turned into a stock and front grip, then into an entire body kit.

I got a RDS for it, because it obviously needed one.

Then I got a flip magnifier for those longer range pewing needs.

 

All told it's something like £200 for a gun that was supposed to be a tinkering toy that I'd sell on once I fixed it. (spoiler warning: Nobody bought it)

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what if I told you condor nylon is as good as Blackhawk nylon

 

Some people will not be happy unless they dump 800 on a plate carrier from name shall not be mentioned but for the rest of us who have to choose what we buy, gear has never been cheaper and more accessible than now. all the big brands are slashing prices on their new models, which are really same as their old stuff from years ago. otherwise they wont compete.

 

even custom leather holsters are now in the sub 100$ range, unless you want kangaroo skin on it or such.

 

Oh yeah can believe that.  Blackhawk stuff is average by todays standards.  I had a Blackhawk Urban assault vest, boasted with a "Made in America" tag, compared with a replica made 10 years later, they are indistinguishable.

 

Though with anything Chinese quality varies greatly between factories producing the same thing.  If the product is "branded" at least you know it is more likely to come from one factory and not 10 different factories everytime you buy something.

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To be fair, there is a distinguishable difference between low cost, "budget" gear and higher quality, "real steel" gear. This is amply demonstrated here

 

That said, will Condor stuff fulfill the use requirements of the average airsofter? Absolutely. It's not going to fall apart under the relatively light use it's going to see in airsoft. It simply isn't being used day in, day out for any length of time. 

 

Is a replica JPC as solidly built as a real Crye JPC? No, but it also doesn't have to be and for a quarter of the cost the replica is capable of 90% of what the real one is.

 

People buy "real steel" gear for the cool factor, for the ability to re-sell later on and because they have the income to do so. 

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