Airsoft pistols for training???

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft pistols for training???

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:01:33 AM EDT

I have considered buying a couple semi auto airsoft GLOCK style pistols to use for extreme close range force on force training. I put 100-200 rounds a week through my carry gun in realistic practice, but I would think the airsoft pistols would be good for training against an active attacker. I don't expect it to take the place of live fire, but just add another dimension to my training. Sort of a civilian replacement for Simunitions.

Anyone else own airsoft for this purpose?

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:03:54 AM EDT

[#1]

Your stats say you've been around since 2003 and have 6753 posts, yet your post indicates you haven't seen any of the many Air$oft threadstorms...

FWIW I have considered doing force-on-force training with Air$oft in my own home, in conjunction with range time with "real steel".

DON'T TELL ARFCOM. They'll get their manties in a wad.

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:12:10 AM EDT

[#2]

I own some of the cheaper airsoft. My boys and I use them for target in the basement. They were a good start for teaching safe handling of firearms. Now its just fun. Little competition between the boys and I.

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:14:43 AM EDT

[#3]

IBTASC

(In before the airsoft sucks people!)

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:17:55 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I own some of the cheaper airsoft. My boys and I use them for target in the basement. They were a good start for teaching safe handling of firearms. Now its just fun. Little competition between the boys and I.

Yup...and I have trained at Oregon Firearms Academy using the green gas models during use-of-force justification training. Lot easier to learn from mistakes made with one of these verses the real thing...

My son just called two minutes ago..."Dad, where is the airsoft and paintballs"? Crap.. That little fart gets red paint on the house I'm drawing down...

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:20:08 AM EDT

[#5]

I can see no problem with using them for training.

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:22:46 AM EDT

[#6]

Why not?

Airsoft guns are so realistic Britian wants to ban them

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:23:39 AM EDT

[#7]

Some friends and I use the green gas pistols for force-on-force training. One of our local police departments uses them too. They are a great training aid. Much cheaper and easier to find than simunitions.

I also made some pellet traps using IDPA targets (with the center cut out) and a padded cardboard box behind the target. Tape a paper target over the hole in the IDPA target.

I set these up in the basement and run drills.

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:25:42 AM EDT

[#8]

Rubber band guns are less expensive.

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:26:10 AM EDT

[#9]

I have a green-gas replica g17 that i practice some drills with. It's pretty handy, although I wish the slide was metal instead of plastic. The balance is a little off, but I'd say it's sill pretty realistic.

Posted: 3/28/2006 9:35:30 AM EDT

[#10]

it has its pros and cons.

As lupey said, you can use them as a primer for teaching safe firearms handling. Force-on-Force training in a CQB environment with green gas guns has also been effective.

Obviously, however, you cannot rely on these guns to produce 100% likeness to real steel, although SOME green gas guns I have seen recoil pretty snappily. When doing serious training, it is best to know exactly what you're doing, and also to never lapse into the attitude that the guns are just toys, even though that's really what they are, so as not to reinforce unsafe habits.

Posted: 3/28/2006 10:06:40 AM EDT

[#11]

For what you want I don't think people here have a problem with airsoft.

I bought one to practice for IPSC matches. It's a lot lighter due to the plastic slide but the real problem is that the recoil is almost nothing. In IPSC you shoot every target twice, without recoil it's not very realistic.

Just don't wind up like this guy.

Posted: 3/28/2006 10:07:32 AM EDT

[#12]

Honestly, I believe training weapons should hurt when hitting another person. That helps reinforce safe handling, and doing your best to avoid being hit. Just my opinion though.

Posted: 3/28/2006 10:07:46 AM EDT

[#13]

Airsoft != Simunitions

Posted: 3/28/2006 10:07:54 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
it has its pros and cons.

As lupey said, you can use them as a primer for teaching safe firearms handling. Force-on-Force training in a CQB environment with green gas guns has also been effective.

Obviously, however, you cannot rely on these guns to produce 100% likeness to real steel, although SOME green gas guns I have seen recoil pretty snappily. When doing serious training, it is best to know exactly what you're doing, and also to never lapse into the attitude that the guns are just toys, even though that's really what they are, so as not to reinforce unsafe habits.

Excellent points. One big thing I see with some people who use airsoft pellet guns and paintball makers for force-on-force training is the desire to mistake concealment for cover. A guy will stand behind a cardboard box. the box is shot and he feels like he isn't "hit". Know what I mean?

So, it can help create or perpetuate bad habits.

Our G19 look-a-likes have the same weight and fell of a real G19, complete with metal frame. Slide locks back on the last round. Blow back and noise from cycling is a lot more than I first expected. These are the $100+ guns, not counting the cost of the gas, pellets, etc.

Posted: 3/28/2006 10:21:26 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
I have considered buying a couple semi auto airsoft GLOCK style pistols to use for extreme close range force on force training. I put 100-200 rounds a week through my carry gun in realistic practice, but I would think the airsoft pistols would be good for training against an active attacker. I don't expect it to take the place of live fire, but just add another dimension to my training. Sort of a civilian replacement for Simunitions.

Anyone else own airsoft for this purpose?

Sounds like that should do it. Airsoft for fun, not for 'realistic practice'. Not a hater, but please, be real.

Posted: 3/28/2006 10:23:53 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I have considered buying a couple semi auto airsoft GLOCK style pistols to use for extreme close range force on force training. I put 100-200 rounds a week through my carry gun in realistic practice, but I would think the airsoft pistols would be good for training against an active attacker. I don't expect it to take the place of live fire, but just add another dimension to my training. Sort of a civilian replacement for Simunitions.

Anyone else own airsoft for this purpose?

Sounds like that should do it. Airsoft for fun, not for 'realistic practice'. Not a hater, but please, be real.

I don't get to shoot my carry gun at targets that are moving and shooting back.

Posted: 3/28/2006 10:29:42 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
I don't get to shoot my carry gun at targets that are moving and shooting back.

That reminds me of that movie Point Break. Do you remember the beginning scene?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Airsoft pistols for training???

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