Need opinions on buying first gun.

[CommieHunter]

Here is a rule of thumb

unless you spent $600+ on a Sniper Rifle its crap.

Again, disagree.

If you buy one of the Chinese sniper rifle replicas, don't expect it to be perfect. However, if you get one and you add a tightbore barrel, aftermarket bucking, and you have a good tech or take care to install the parts correctly, you can have a very very good performer for not a lot of money.

Also, I think you can get along with a sniper rifle as your first airsoft gun. There are different styles of play. You may end up running around like a rifleman just shooting at people, but when you get charged by 2-3 people wielding AEGs (or just one guy who knows how to move) then you'll likely get taken out. If you decide to switch to 'hide and sneak' mode, you'll likely find that it's more boring than you thought it was. Because of this, many people recommend getting an AEG first. However, it's not a hard and fast rule.

[slipstream]

Budget would be around 200$ not much more. My role would be a sniper.

Yeah, you are going to need alot more than that if you want get a bolt rifle and upgrade it to the point where it performs decently, and on top of that you would still need to get your gear if you don't already have it.

Take these guys advice and go for a decent long rifle aeg like an m16 or SR25. Good performers already if you get a good brand, and easily upgradeable to be even better since parts are generally cheaper. Think heavily if "Sniper" is the actual role you want to be, or do you want to be more of a "designated marksman"? My guess is that you would be happier with the latter.

[Jester316]

Here is the break down on my bolt action rifle ("sniper" is the guy pullling the trigger, not the rifle...)

TSD M700 $70
Firefly Soft bucking $22
Matrix M145 spring $14
PSI 6.02mm 510mm inner barrel $70
Replica Leupold 3.5-10x40 scope $40
Matrix 135 spring $14

That's $230 into my rifle, and I still have some more to go. I'm shooting right at 500fps. I have spent probably 100 hours or more just tinkering with my rifle. To build up a bolt action to a level that makes it consistent means a lot of blood sweat and tears. The reason why most people don't recommend them as a first gun, is because they are very temperamental. If you are a very patient person, who likes to tinker, then you might be happy. If you aren't, then get an m14, throw a 4x scope on it, and go to town as a DM. As has been said, the role of an airsoft sniper really isn't to pull the trigger. It's more to move into position, report enemy moments, and cover the full attack. If you pull the trigger, 9/10 times you will be killed in a hail of gunfire. I went a whole game only pulling the trigger 3 times. I'd really suggest you get an AEG and run around with that for a year. Then you can start thinking about other aspects of the game.

[Shadykiller56]

I have spent probably 100 hours or more just tinkering with my rifle. To build up a bolt action to a level that makes it consistent means a lot of blood sweat and tears. The reason why most people don't recommend them as a first gun, is because they are very temperamental. If you are a very patient person, who likes to tinker, then you might be happy. If you aren't, then get an m14, throw a 4x scope on it, and go to town as a DM. As has been said, the role of an airsoft sniper really isn't to pull the trigger. It's more to move into position, report enemy moments, and cover the full attack. If you pull the trigger, 9/10 times you will be killed in a hail of gunfire. I went a whole game only pulling the trigger 3 times. I'd really suggest you get an AEG and run around with that for a year. Then you can start thinking about other aspects of the game.

He's very right, a sniper is a patient person role. I'f your patient for a sniper, otherwise get a M14 and a scope and your set.

[Mattman154]

And if you want to be a Sniper just because you're good at it on Call of Duty, it's a lot different.

[LiquidSnak]

And if you want to be a Sniper just because you're good at it on Call of Duty, it's a lot different.

Or Borderlands, for that matter.

[Mattman154]

Basically any video game.

[SilentStalker]

I'd really suggest you get an AEG and run around with that for a year. Then you can start thinking about other aspects of the game.

While you are running around with the AEG you can treat it like a Bolt. What I mean by this is you can sneak and slither your way to a good shooting position and then lay there and feed intel to your CO. Then when you get bored take your shot and see if you can not be found. You will still have the fire power to fight your way out and also be able to work on your field craft. then after a year you should have saved enough money for that bolt you want and maybe even already have it and practice with it to get it dialed in perfect while still having fun playing the game with the AEG.

What ever you decide good luck in your hunt for your first replica and remember it is a game so have fun.

Also welcome to Airsoft and AP

[Zeta Crossfire]

Basically any video game.

just likes to pull a bolt back

[Darius137]

If you want to be a cool sniper, use an AR-10.

I like the idea of 20 shots, 1 kill.

[Solid]

You know, you can always go to a skirm and someone there is sure to let you try theirs out for a bit and you can see how you like it. I tried it, I loved it but it was a huge pain in the a$$ and I barely got any hits. Field craft is essential, i'd suggest a AEG as well. You could even M14 it up if you want to be a DM kind of guy, which is what your kind of sounding like you want to do. I doubt your going to enjoy laying in some bush for 10 minutes waiting for someone to get a perfect shot like some people around here do and you want to rather COD/borderlands it up sniping, which is running around like an idiot with a sniper rifle and blasting left and right.

[Raging Hormann]

M14 or M16 is a good idea for this stage in your sniping career, should you so choose to continue it. They are both long barreled AEG's, and can be upgraded to high FPS, or are already at high FPS when stock. They are both highly modifiable, and are compatible with a lot of parts externally.

M14, not as many parts as the M16, but all you should really need is a sight rail and then you're good. Toss an aimpoint on there, or something with a little bit of magnification, perhaps an ACOG, and run with it for a while.

Just what I would do if I were in your shoes.

[Bush Killer]

I would recommend going with an M16. I've owned many AEGs and a few bolts, and I've found that nothing really matches the smooth ergonomics and "point and shoot" capacity that the M16 does, except for maybe the G36. Regardless, it is a nice long barreled rifle that will serve you well. I've owned and upgraded a couple capable of accurate 200ft kills for not much money (read: 400 FPS, nice tightbore and bucking) Plus, with a nice long-range AEG, you can choose to use full auto, or at least have a quick follow-up shot on semi if you miss the first time.

M14s are also good for this, but you lose some flexibility. The M14 isn't so quick to shoulder (no pistol grip) and it is significantly longer. I found that the M14 was a great stationary death machine, but I lost the ability to be as mobile as I like to play.

Bolts are cool and fun to mess around with, but unless you are really dedicated, you'll most likely have more fun with something more flexible.

[branden333]

Alright everyone, thank you for your advice. Everything everyone has said has been great information on helping me learn more about this subject.

[Patrick750]

get a dmr or and m14. if you find your self using semi and rarely shooting then get a sniper. if you find your self going full auto then you already have an aeg