Smart Airsoft Buying: 15 Tips for Beginners & Pros

Buying airsoft equipment can be a little bit tricky at times, especially if you're a beginner. So, we put together a list of helpful tips to make sure that you're always buying what's best for you.

If you don't know, BZ Tactical is one of the UK's biggest airsoft shops. So, we've had a bit of experience with selling airsoft stuff. We've come up with a load of tips along the way.

Let's get into our top tips.

Tip One

If you're buying your first ever airsoft gun, don't just go to a shop and say, "What would you recommend for this price?". You need to find a gun that you love the look of.

We do recommend going for AEG for your first gun, but it is really down to you. AEG is just the easiest option. But the best thing to do when buying a first airsoft gun is find one that you love the look of first. When you find one that you like the look of, do your research on whether it's good or not. Look on uh player forums. Look on Facebook groups, Discords, Reddit. Ask shops what the opinion is on the gun that you're looking for.

Find one that you love the look of first and then do your research after that.

Tip Two

If you’re buying Green Gas, make sure you check the size of the gas. We used to stock a different brand of green gas here at BZ. Probably the most popular brand of green gas in the UK. Now, with those bottles, they were 420ml. Then we started stocking Puff Dino and of course our own Rebel Precision gas. These are 600ml bottles. So while the size of the bottle looks about the same, you're actually getting 100ml more of gas in that bottle.

Make sure you check the pressure level. The other brand of green gas that I mentioned, their PSI level for green gas only goes up to 145 PSI. So that's the amount of pressure that the green gas can let out when you're firing your gun. Rebel Precision Green Gas is up to 170 PSI. So not only do you get more in a can, you also get a better quality, more powerful green gas.

Tip Three

Before you buy something expensive like an airsoft gun or an optic, make sure you ask about that warranty first. Make sure you clarify:

• How long is the warranty period is for 

• What the warranty covers 

• What will void that warranty 

• How are warranty claims are handled 

• Are they handled by the shop themselves? 

• Are they handled somewhere in the UK?

These are all things that you need to consider before investing that coin. If you buy a really expensive airsoft gun, you want to make sure you know what you’re getting into. If something does go wrong, you want to make sure it isn’t too much of a problem to sort.

At BZ Tactical, we're very transparent. Most of our warranty work is done in house. We have a fully certified tech center from Wolverine. We also manage all KWA UK warranty work as well. We do warranty work on most, if not all of our guns.

For optics, some brands like Vortex offer a lifetime warranty. Not all brands do, so it’s best to confirm the same details above. On the surface, a brand like Vortex may seem expensive compared to other optics. But if your optic breaks, Vortex will replace it for free. This lifetime coverage applies no matter how many times it breaks. 

So always ask about warranty first before you lay down a lot of money on airsoft kit.

Tip Four

If you’ve bought something, and there's something wrong with it, contact the store you bought it from first. The number of times we have had people contact us instead of who they bought it from is wild. The only people who can help you out with any issues are the store you bought it from or the manufacturer. 

If you have an issue, contact the store, if they can’t help, contact the manufacturer. It might be an easy fix, but contact them first before you contact the tech or contact BZ, for example.

Tip Five

Before you buy your first airsoft gun, we highly recommend that you get yourself a Valid Defense first. This will allow you to buy any airsoft gun that you want, no matter how realistic it looks. You don't want to be stuck with a two-tone colored gun for the rest of the time that you're playing. If you want more information on Valid Defensive, we've done several videos about them.

Tip Six

Always ask about price matching. If you find an item cheaper at a different shop, but you prefer to order from another shop, ask if they'll price match it. Here at BZ, we'll price match an item 95% of the time if it's in stock at another store in the UK and also if it's not involved in some kind of sale. 

If you want to buy from a certain shop, but it's a bit more expensive than somewhere else, ask if they'll price match it first. 

Tip Seven

If you're buying a HPA tank for airsoft, know the difference between a tank regulator and a HPA regulator. 

A tank regulator comes with a bottle and it's attached to the bottle itself. These are what you use to play paintball. If you want to then play airsoft with a HPA tank, you need to attach a HPA rig on top of that. This basically lowers the PSI down to a level that is safe for use for airsoft. A lot of people think you can just get a HPA tank with a tank regulator, and that'll be enough to start playing. No. You need a HPA regulator.

Make sure that when you invest in HPA, you buy both. 

Tip Eight

If you’re buying an airsoft gun that uses uncommon or proprietary mags, check availability in your country first. You don’t want to buy a gun and then realise that it’s going to be 6 months before you can buy some more magazines for it.

Tip Nine

If you're using a gun that uses a small battery, like a HPA gun, always invest in two batteries. There's nothing worse than your battery dying out in the middle of a game day. So, always have a spare and always make sure you're charged up. 

Tip Ten

Following that last tip, you may use small batteries like HPA batteries. You may also use different guns that take different battery sizes. It’s recommended that you get a variable charger. It should charge at different current rates, like the RBC01 from Rebel Precision. This means that it's not going to overload your battery and put too much charge in it. It's going to charge it at the right current rate so your battery can stay healthy. 

Tip Eleven

If you buy an eye pro, which you should be because every player has to have a pair of eye pro. It's recommended that you always get thermal eye pro because this will help defend against fogging up of your goggles. Fogging of goggles will ruin your game day. So, invest in some thermal goggles. 

Some brands are better than others for anti-foging. Wiley X and Edge Tactical are both really good. I've heard some really good things about Block Tactical as well that we don't stock here at BZ. 

If you want to be sure you are protected against fogging, get anti-fog spray or anti-fog wipes.

Tip Twelve

Make sure you’re always buying the right battery to fit your gun. Most websites will have the recommended battery listed with that gun. 99% of airsoft guns don’t come with a battery included. There are a few that do some with a battery, like the Lancer Tactical Combo Series that come with a battery and charger included. 

On our website, you can filter airsoft guns that come with a battery. We also sell bundles that come with everything you need to get started.

Tip Thirteen

Always shop local to you. Unless you’re buying online, stick with BZ. If you are going to an airsoft shop, try and go to one in your area. It’s important to support your local stores to keep them running. You can also get a feel for different guns and feel the quality yourself.

Tip Fourteen

When you’re playing outdoors, invest in a good pair of boots. If you’re on your feet all day in the elements, a good pair of tactical boots can make all the difference. You also don’t want to wreck your everyday shoes.

Tip Fifteen

If you’re buying a gas gun, especially a pistol, always use magazines from the same manufacturer. Pistols always work best with the same manufacturer's magazine for the best efficiency and compatibility. 

If you're looking to join us in the world of Airsoft, make sure you check out our video about Valid Defences.

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