Originally Posted By uscbigdawg1:
Tokyo Marui Hicapa 5.1 is dead on a STI Eagle. Runs like a raped ape and is very affordable. I mounted a C-More on mine to mimmick my open pistol (concentrating on it this year instead of 3-Gun) and can say it's paid off. That couple with dry fire and being blessed to shoot at Rio Solado make progression pretty easy.
Rich
Rich is right regarding the Tokyo Marui. I have a couple of those that I used coupled with dry fire to work on pistol speed, shooting, and transitions. KWA and KSC both make glock replicas that are pretty good, but the Tokyo Marui is by far the best 2011 replica out there. I tried several other guns before settling on this one. There are acutally a couple of full metal guns available, but the all plastic design of the TM has more recoil and the slide tracks faster, making it more similar to my competition gun.
I have a combination of homemade stuff and targets from BAMairsoft.com in my garage, and will spend a lot of time on everything from basic dry-fire drills all the way to planning/shooting full stages.
To me it is a lot more fun than dry fire. Targets are reacting, your slide is moving and you have to track your front sight, and with the right equipment, everything but recoil control is exactly the same. I spend a lot of time working on things like movement, target transitions, and positions. I also always try and end practice with my real gun in dry fire to reinforce everything on that platform.
Like everyone is saying, i don't think it is too relavant for shotgun training. I would opt for real range time and practice loading at home for that. But as far as pisto/rifle goes...game on.
One of the best things about it is that you are still at home, so you can make real progress with minimal impact on family time etc. I made GM this year in limited division in USPSA and I can tell you that airsoft played a huge part in that accomplishment.