In the fast paced world of airsoft warfare, an airsoft sniper who is patient and knows his stuff can make all of the difference. But no matter how much skill and technique the airsoft sniper has acquired during his combat experiences, he is no match for an equally skilled sniper who is better equipped to handle whatever comes at him. So, how does a warfighter who is equally matched with his opponent (or the never ending front line infantry hordes) get ahead in this game of skill? The answer: Get better gear.
An airsoft sniper who knows what he is doing can greatly improve his combat performance by acquiring a stockpile of effective airsoft gear. Although it is hard to say what the most important piece of equipment for an airsoft sniper to have, it is safe to say that the airsoft sniper rifle is at the top of that list. Different airsoft snipers have different preferences when it comes to the type of rifle that they choose. Some prefer spring powered, others prefer electric powered; in the end, each sniper has to decide for himself. However, some things stay true for all rifles: The airsoft sniper rifle must be able to carry a sight, be easily concealed with a gun sleeve or some other form of camouflage, and be extremely accurate. Simply put, you cannot be a sniper if your primary weapon is a pistol. In general, most airsoft rifles with longer barrels can be used effectively in a sniping role. Once you pick your rifle, you should drill with it often to ensure that your marksmen skills stay up to par. There is no point in having a sleek, straight-shooting rifle if you can’t put the rounds on target.
Once an airsoft sniper has picked his rifle, it is time to address his set of optics. Every airsoft sniper needs to have a good pair of binoculars or a monocular. It is critical that the airsoft sniper be able to find targets at a distance without moving his rifle; needless movement could give away your position. An airsoft sniper also needs to have a good scope on his rifle. A zeroed scope can greatly improve an airsoft sniper’s performance on the battlefield. A good choice is this 4×32 Airsoft Rifle Scope from Swiss Arms. For those who play at night, some searching may be required for an effective night vision scope. Having the right visual equipment can make all the difference for an experienced airsoft marksman.
An airsoft sniper also needs to address the issue of cover. Sniper’s are famous for their use of camouflage to blend in with the landscape; a ghillie suit and rifle cover can allow you to say, “Nobody here but us trees!” without lying. A ghillie suite should be comfortable and flexible, and most of all concealing. A suite like this can make all the difference between you getting three kills and a being spotted and wiped out by an enemy squad.
Next an airsoft sniper should address his defense. Simply put, your sniper rifle is not going to do the job in close quarters combat. Although a semi-automatic pistol may be the first thing most airsoft snipers reach for, I would recommend something with a bit more…power. You should only rely on the best for your defense, and nothing can do better than a personal defense weapon (or PDW). Although slightly bigger, PDWs make up for their larger size with a great increase in power. The Echo1 M5K PDW is a great alternative to standard pistols due to its high rate of fire and larger magazine size.
Last, an airsoft sniper should address his comfort and supplies. Generally, this means buying a vest or bag that can fit under your ghillie suite or be easily hidden to stash things in. Vests offer lots of places where you can carry extra magazines, extra ammo, snacks, your cell phone (wouldn’t want the girlfriend to get worried, would we?), and assorted other accessories and necessities. Sometimes, it is possible to cover two bases, such as comfort and storage, with one package. A great example of this would be vest, such as the FIREPOWER Modular Tactical Vest. Although not readily apparent, this vest has a hydration pack that you can fill with your drink of choice (personally, I recommend not drinking alcoholic beverages while at war, it reduces your reaction time and dulls your senses) so that you never go thirsty on the field again.
There are many other available options as far as gear goes for a tactical airsoft sniper to choose from. When you perfect your kit and train hard, you will be an unstoppable force on the battlefield. And you will look nice and prepared; this is where you can use psychological warfare on your opponents. Just remember, gear cannot win the war for you, but it sure does help.
-Michael Ariza
Mail this post