I've played paintball for 5 or 6 years but don't know the 1st thing about airsoft.  I'm just looking for a semi-auto pistol that I can use to shoot at stuff around my apartment.
I don't need full-auto, blowback, competition gun, etc.....  Just a basic, semi-auto preferably under $30.
Can anyone point me in the right direction as to what to look for?

Wal-mart

Quoted: Wal-mart

maker? model? etc...?

I can point you in a better direction.

A different forum.

Quoted: I can point you in a better direction. A different forum.

This is the gaming forum, if you know of a forum here dedicated to airsoft, please enlighten us

Let me elaborate.. a WHOLE different forum. This may be the particular 'branch' for it, but if you actually wanted better results, post the question on an airsoft site. Not one meant for actual firearms. I'm guessing not too many people here know about airsoft, or are willing to come foreward with it.

Quoted: Quoted: Wal-mart maker? model? etc...?

Whatever is in your budget.  Last time I walked by that secion they had quite a few different airsoft pistols.

Quoted: I'm guessing not too many people here know about airsoft, or are willing to come foreward with it.

Wrong on both counts.  Again, if you don't have any advice about what i'm looking for, why keep posting in this thread?

To help you out, saying there's ArniesAirsoft, retailers, etc that you could get better info simply by asking there.

Quoted: To help you out, saying there's ArniesAirsoft, retailers, etc that you could get better info simply by asking there.

I don't want to ask there, I want to ask other gun owners who know the difference b/w the real thing and a toy.

By semi automatic, do you mean you don't want to need to rack the slide for each shot? If so, $30 will not get you anything you'll enjoy very much.

The Tokyo Marui spring pistols are pretty decent, but require you to chamber a bb after every shot. But they are very accurate, and require only bbs to operate. And can be had on Egay for about $45 ater shipping.

If you want it to be an autoloader and give decent accuracy you'll need to go higher on the cash. Anything else will either break or give very poor distance and accuracy.

For an first gas blow-back pistol I suggest either a KWA/KSC (KSC says Glock, model #, caliber... and has a plastic slide. KWA are sterile and have metal slides.) Glock 17 or 19, or a Tokyo Marui M9 or Sig P226. Great range, accuracy, and feel. But all of them are over $100, unless you find them used.

Probably not going to find a semi for <$30. I got a single shot version of the P226(don't recall the maker off hand) that I use as the equivalent of a 'bokken' or 'waster' for practice. It works well for that, especially since I cut the hokey hammer off of it so that it now fits my holster properly. It has worked well for practicing/perfecting my draw with it. I got mine for $23 at Academy and I shoot 'stuff' with it in the garage all the time. With 'stuff' being defined as impromptu targets made of T-shirts to catch the balls for reuse.

Just as a 'bokken' is wood and has a different heft/feel of a real sword, there is going to be the same type of differences between AirSoft and a real pistol. I'm going to get some dry fire caps for use with my 'real' pistol when I do my dry fire exercises. Something to consider if you're planning on using this AirSoft as an adjunct to training. There is enough of a difference that I am going to start adding dry fire drills at the end to have the practice with the actual pistol.

Occasionally, I see a banner ad for 'Airsoft Atlanta' that you may wish to check out since they are supporting the board.

wganz
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