| A scope or sight makes playing airsoft even more fun | | | | visible dot even in standard daylight, though effective |
| in a number of ways. If you don't have one you should | | | | range will be much less. |
| get one! | | | | 4. Various types, some can go on top of a telescopic |
| While not as essential as say for air rifle shooting | | | | sight. |
| where you often need to hit a 5p size target at 30 | | | | 5. Others can be mounted slung under the barrel or |
| metres an airsoft scope can help in other ways | | | | pistol grip. Makes include, the SMK LS1, LS2 and LS3 |
| | | | models, Hawke Tactical, Beamshot and Cybergun |
| 1. Telescopic scopes improve longer distance aimed | | | | Universal. All are excellent with SMK being at the |
| shot accuracy - Very handy for sniping. | | | | budget end (I sell loads of them on ebay) |
| 2. Brilliant for spotting enemy in cover (ambushes!) and | | | | Mounts and base rails - VERY IMPORTANT! An |
| - or at ranges way beyond rifle range. | | | | important area and one that causes a lot of confusion |
| 3. Red dot and laser sights improve hit rates in fast | | | | on ebay! - To fit a scope or sight to a rifle of pistol |
| reflex CQB and mad skirmishes. | | | | there must be somewhere to clamp it onto. Makes |
| 4. And of course they make any airsoft rifle look very | | | | sense yes? (not to some people it doesn't!) |
| cool and are loads of fun to use (which has got to | | | | 1. Look for dovetail type grooves running along the top |
| count for quite a bit I reckon) | | | | of the rifle body - This is the scope or sight rail or |
| There are 3 types to consider - | | | | base. |
| 1 - Telescopic scopes As the name suggests you get | | | | 2. To this rail or base you attach the scope or sight by |
| magnified vision. These are ideal for snipers and | | | | way of scope mounts |
| general rifle combat. | | | | 3. But just to make it extra fun there are different type |
| Come in a wide range of sizes, for example - | | | | of mounts as rails - bases differ in width! |
| | | | But OK, assuming you have a base rail of some sort. |
| 1. 3-9x40 is the most popular general purpose type but | | | | Next - |
| what does that mean? | | | | 1. Measure the distance between the grooves of the |
| - 3-9 - Means the magnification. In this example can be | | | | base. |
| dialed between 3 and 9x (and all the numbers in | | | | - If it's no more than 13mm wide (3/8 inch) then you |
| between) | | | | need what are called standard mounts |
| - Very handy for multiple situations and ranges. | | | | - If it's 20mm wide (5/8 inch) then you have what is |
| - 40 = lens size in millimeters. 40mm is a very good | | | | called a Weaver base and need weaver mounts |
| size. Good light capture and a wide field of view but | | | | (inventors name) |
| not overly bulky. | | | | Most airsoft models need weavers. Examples that |
| - By contrast a 4x32 would mean 4 x magnification | | | | spring to mind are the TM M4, SR16, SG550-51-52 |
| only through a 32mm lens. | | | | series, MP5. |
| Cross hairs - There are many different types but for | | | | Some sniper types have Standard. |
| airsoft use you don't need to worry about this to much | | | | It's not a problem if you measure up first and check |
| except as a fashion thing! | | | | that the sight or scope you are getting has the right |
| | | | type |
| 1. The 30-30 type is pretty standard and is fine (similar | | | | Take extra care with models that have fitted mounts. |
| to a traditional plain X hair) | | | | These cannot be changed so if you get the wrong |
| 2. You'll see others with Mil Dot which is the military | | | | type they'll have to be sent back and swapped for a |
| standard cross hair. | | | | totally different model. |
| 3. Just the job you may think but they are more | | | | If in doubt read the product description carefully or |
| expensive and the mil dot stuff is basically a range | | | | email the seller to ask for clarification and include your |
| finding and distance estimation aid that's of little use until | | | | gun make, model and link to website so the seller can |
| distances over a couple of hundred meters are | | | | check it out fast. |
| reached. A nice to have but you don't need it. | | | | Nickwake (my) ebay shop fast guide to airsoft suitable |
| Types 2 and 3 Red dot and Laser sights | | | | scopes and sights |
| 1. These are not magnified - what you see is the real | | | | Telescopics - |
| size as it is. | | | | 1. 4x20 - Only come with fitted Standard mounts. Do |
| 2. Perfect for FIBUA, CQB and close quarter stuff | | | | not buy or bid for if you have a weaver base. |
| where you need reflex from the hip or fast semi | | | | 2. 4x32, 3-9x32, 4x40, 3-9x40, 4-12x42 and 8x56 |
| aimed eye to sight shots (a la SWAT style) | | | | - All come without mounts so you choose mount type. |
| 3. Great for pistols as well. | | | | All models can all have the SMK LS2 scope mounted |
| 2 - Red dot sight | | | | laser sights added to give you telescopic AND relex |
| 1. Projects a red (or green) dot onto the inside of the | | | | shooting. |
| lens. | | | | Red dots - |
| 2. Only you can see this dot - hopefully on your target. | | | | 1. Type 1 - "Open eye" with fitted standard mounts |
| 3. You fire and you hit. | | | | 2. Type 2 - Tasco BKR - with fitted weaver mounts |
| 4. Very handy for reflex combat and pistols. | | | | (a very cool sight this one) |
| 5. The bigger the lens the better. 20mm is common | | | | Lasers - |
| and OK. 40mm more pricey but much better. (Tasco | | | | 1. Type 1 - LS2 Scope mounted. A long term best |
| do some great ones) | | | | seller. Available on own or as part of a combo set or |
| 3 - Laser sights | | | | add on if you win an auction. |
| 1. Similar principle to the red dot except the dot is | | | | 2. Type 2 - Cybergun Laser and Torch - with various |
| "visibly visible"" on the target - anyone can see it. | | | | adaptors, can be barrel slung. Also come with a |
| 2. Brilliant for scaring the hell out of the enemy, but it | | | | tactical torch. Very cool kit. So, want to get one? I |
| can give you away too so use with care! | | | | hope you know what you need to know now and to |
| 3. Best in low light, but any decent laser will still give you | | | | see you online soon! |