Weapons

Automatic Electric Guns (AEGs)



As all sites in the UK limit the fps of AEGs to 328fps, the different types available will probably lose their initial power advantages once you’ve upgraded them. In a large woodland site like Spartan you should be thinking about the effective range rather than the raw power (i.e. fps) of your AEG. AEGs with longer barrels are essentially more accurate at longer ranges than those with short barrels (which in the real world were typically designed for specific purposes). This accuracy can be increased with the addition of a tight bore barrel (which will also add 10-15 fps to the overall power). The battery capacity is also an important consideration as you may not want to carry spare batteries with you. Some AEG designs cannot accommodate large batteries and you should bear this in mind, however there are ways around this problem. Another important consideration is the magazine capacity used by your AEG as at Spartan we have imposed limits on the number of rounds that can be carried at any one time (please see rules). We also actively encourage players to use standards/lo caps as opposed to hi caps for various reasons. AEGs with lower capacity standards will therefore require you to carry more magazines if you want to carry the maximum amount of rounds allowed. This will add considerably to the weight that you will be carrying (all day).

If you’re thinking of buying your first AEG, then the TM AK47 is well worth considering. It is very robust and can withstand a lot of punishment (whilst you’re learning your field/bushcraft). It can accommodate a large battery that will definitely last the entire day if fully charged. The hi cap contains 600 BBs meaning that you only need one to get started. This makes it the ideal choice if you’re on a limited budget. The downside to the AK47 is the lack of external upgrade options available. Real world equipment does fit but will probably be more expensive than airsoft equipment.

If you’re planning to spend a lot of money on buying external upgrades for your AEG then you should consider the M4/M16 variants. There is an almost limitless supply of things that can be (easily) added to these AEGs from both real world and airsoft manufacturers. The build quality of the CA and ICS models is better than that of the TM models as they come with metal bodies as standard, however the TM internals are better. Custom batteries are readily available that get around the problem of the small battery compartment in some M4 models. The TM/CA hi cap contains 300 rounds and the ICS hi cap contains 400 rounds making them a good intermediate choice. It seems that every player has at least one M4/M16 variant, which suggests that they’re a good buy.

Gas Blow Back Pistols (GBBs)



GBBs are not the only type of pistol available but they are the most popular, probably because they have the most realistic action of all the airsoft replicas. The most important thing to consider when buying a GBB is the number of rounds that you get per gas charge in the magazine. Some models, such as the KWA/KSC G19, will allow you to fire more BBs (over twice the original capacity) from a gas charge than others, such as the WA P14-45 (which only contains enough gas for the original capacity). As you will need to carry the gas to recharge the magazine you may want to consider the inconvenience of gas cans as they rarely fit into webbing securely. As the design of the GBB and the gas that you use with it interact to determine the fps that you get, it is not worthwhile discussing the relative fps of different makes and models here. Most people use their GBBs as a back up weapon for when their AEG breaks down or they run out of BBs, therefore they are rarely used, so you should consider the weight of your chosen GBB as you will be carrying it all day without necessarily using it.

Sniper Rifles



Sniper rifles are only worth considering if you have the temperament for using them properly. To function effectively as a sniper you need patience and good field/bushcraft skills. Even in the real world, sniper weapons are only effective as ambush weapons, and the emphasis in their use is on camouflage and concealment. In most other situations AEGs are far more effective. The question you need ask yourself before buying a sniper rifle is whether you’re prepared to sit around for a couple of hours to take a single shot. The next question is whether you want a gas/spring powered rifle or a semi automatic AEG. At Spartan we insist that weapons have real world equivalents, so M4/M16 sniper weapons are not acceptable but the SR25 is. Spring powered rifles, such as the APS2 and VSR10, are more consistent in their fps but cycling the bolt takes more time and effort than gas powered rifles, such as the Kar98k. As gas powered rifles are sensitive to environmental temperatures they have a much narrower window of use as they may be either under- or overpowered at certain times of the year. As the fps of gas weapons is determined by the gas that you use in them, these sniper rifles will be upgraded straight out of the box whereas the spring powered and semi automatic AEGs will need upgrading after you’ve purchased them. If you’re on a tight budget this is worth considering.

Light Support Weapons (LSWs)



Putting an electric box mag on your M16 or G3SG1 does not make it an LSW. In order to take advantage of the increased round limits and fps over AEGs you must have a recognised LSW, such as the M60, M249, GPMG/M240, or RPK. Weapon systems that have an LSW variant, such as the HK (M)G36, must be modified to conform to the physical appearance of that variant rather than merely adding a box or C mag to the existing AEG version (i.e. the G36C).

Pyrotechnics



Most pyrotechnics, such as smoke grenades, flash bangs, BB grenades, and claymores, are allowed at Spartan subject to site safety regulations. The only additional requirement is that the debris is picked up after they are used, so a plastic bag is a handy thing to have.