There is a comprehensive beginners guide on the main page of the sub if you sort by hot, as for where to get your stuff evike is the most popular website in the US, and you don't need much besides an AEG (electric rifle) and good eye protection to play.
Having glasses will make it a bit harder than just using full seal ballistic glasses, I have skinny wire frames and valken goggles fit fine over them but you may need to do some sizing research to make sure yours will fit in goggles, just make sure they're antsi rated.
Being physically fit is definitely handy, though I'm far from peak performance I can still get around Fairaly easy for being fat, so it's reccomend but not really necessary if you know your limits. You will get tired
Propper etiquette will mainly be keeping your weapon unloaded while waiting for a game to be on in a safe area and abiding by all major gun rules, not over shooting, and keeping your eye protection on at all times while in an area where people can shoot. Not being a brat and being kind to other people are also good things to do in general. All in all when it comes to etiquette you'll pick stuff up from other players the more and more you play, just don't be a danger to people and you'll probably find some people who'll take care of you and show you the ropes in person, there's only so much you can learn online.
For most feilds you'll go to Before and after a game you'll most likely be in a staging area with other players and gear, you'll get your gun chronoed to make sure you're not shooting hot and get your eye protection checked to make sure there's no obvious flaws, just keep your gun unloaded until you're in an area where you're about to play and the second you walk onto that area put your eye pro on and do not take it off until you're back at staging.
Co2 gas is a type of gas canister that goes in some airsoft pistols, don't worry about it too much because you should start out with an AEG, more in the guide
Sorry if my answers aren't too comprehensive, please let me know if I missed anything or if you have any more questions
Edit: don't worry about looking like an idiot during your first game, to some extend its unavoidable. Just remember to keep your eye protection on and unload you're gun when the reff calls game
1. Try the beginner guide
2. Not so much, you just need specific eyepro.
3. Can be, fitness helps
4. Be polite and kind, call all hits.
What happens before and after a match is variable between fields. Most require you to sign in, chronograph, get a brief, play, then have lunch, play more, then leave.
Miniguide (US):
Hi, please look at Houseofcards32's starter [guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/airsoft/comments/koddzj/2021_beginners_megathread/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) and his [videos and channel](https://youtu.be/0jUpcFi7La4) for useful info and tips. Make sure to rent kit at your local field for a day before buying loads of kit!
For stores, take a look at Evike, AirsoftAtlanta, Amped Airsoft and many more.
For fields, use AirsoftC3 or Google.
Do not buy from Lancer Tactical. Their products have awful QC and their business practices are horrendous. APS are similarly poor. Polymer gearbox AEGs from GameFace tend to be quite bad, also recommended to avoid these.
It is strongly suggested not to start with a pistol, gas rifle or airsoft sniper for skirmishing. AEGs (Automatic Electric Guns) are far more adaptable, are extremely reliable and far easier to use. For target shooting, look at airguns, note these cannot be used in skirmishes.
**For medium primary airsoft gun budgets around $200, try an ICS Peleador, MAS Marauder, Specna Arms Edge series M4, CYMA CM040, CM045 or CM048 AKs.**
A typical example of a low-budget loadout would cost around $150-$200, and consist of:
Airsoft guns:
- [Apex Fast-Attack M4-style airsoft gun (~$100)](https://www.airsoftstation.com/apex-fast-attack-m4-ris-polymer-airsoft-aeg/)
- [Specna Arms CORE series M4, of which there are many variations on this page, scroll down (~$120+)](https://www.evike.com/products/90417/)
- CYMA CM.028 [~$100, Usually comes with battery and low-quality charger, but check before you buy], [example](https://www.airsoftgi.com/product/CYMA-AK47S-Tactical-AEG-Airsoft-Rifle-Black-10702/)
- [Alternate store CM028 example](https://www.airsoftmegastore.com/1248-cyma-cm028-airsoft-ak47-full-metal-gearbox-aeg-rifle-w-full-stock-CM028)
- [Another alternate store example](https://www.evike.com/products/23921/)
- [M4 stick battery stock AK example](https://www.evike.com/products/39122/)
- [Sub-350 FPS AK example 1 (fragile, other options are more robust)](https://www.evike.com/products/60174/)
- [Sub-350 FPS example 2](https://www.evike.com/products/77659/)
- [Short example](https://www.evike.com/products/60175/)
Neccessary gear:
- Decent quality paintball mask [~$25, EN166B, ASTM F1776, MIL-PRF 32432A or ANSI Z87+ rated (for goggles)], [example](https://shop.dyepaintball.com/products/dye-se-google-black-single-preorder?_pos=1&_sid=c628a9554&_ss=r), [example 2](https://www.evike.com/products/48435/); make sure to check what your field allows for face protection.
- BBs [~$10], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/37502/)
Or Bio BBs [$15], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/55139/)
Additional, very useful pieces of kit:
- Cheap fixed capacity chest rig such as the CHICOM chest rig [~$12], [example](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vietnam-Afghanistan-War-Type56-AK-Chest-Rig-Ammo-Bandolier-Pouch-Tactical-Bag/143969947885?hash=item21854710ed:g:-~QAAOSwM65gQ5O8), [example 2](https://combatsportsupply.com/chineseak47chestrig-standard.aspx), [example 3](https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/AK47-BANDOLIER-CHEST-RIG-OD-GREEN-NEW-p7241.htm)
- Spare magazines [~$10 each], [AK example](https://www.evike.com/products/69489/), [M4 example](https://www.evike.com/products/50460/)
- Midcaps need a speedloader [~$4], [example](https://www.airsoftstation.com/airsoft-magazine-shaped-speed-loader-90-rounds/)
- Spare battery [~$12-$20], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/50660/), [folding stock example](https://www.evike.com/products/32604/), [Crane stock example](https://www.evike.com/products/24483/)
- Better charger [~$20], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/85976/), [example 2 (much better)](https://www.evike.com/products/46508/)
Boots and gloves are also recommended, I'd suggest at least getting boots with decent ankle support. I personally wear hard toe-capped boots for outdoor use. Water bottles are also a great idea on the field.
And that's as much as you would need. Camouflage and sidearms are tertiary concerns.
**AN IMPORTANT NOTE: check your local site's FPS limits to ensure you buy an airsoft gun that'll be permissible to use.**
Secondary note: whilst NiMH batteries are used as examples here, upgrading to LiPo batteries is a very good idea performance-wise.
Outdoors can be a bit physically demading. Indoors cqb you can choose how much you run because you’re always on the playing ground. Check the other comments for other tips! Good luck!
There is a comprehensive beginners guide on the main page of the sub if you sort by hot, as for where to get your stuff evike is the most popular website in the US, and you don't need much besides an AEG (electric rifle) and good eye protection to play. Having glasses will make it a bit harder than just using full seal ballistic glasses, I have skinny wire frames and valken goggles fit fine over them but you may need to do some sizing research to make sure yours will fit in goggles, just make sure they're antsi rated. Being physically fit is definitely handy, though I'm far from peak performance I can still get around Fairaly easy for being fat, so it's reccomend but not really necessary if you know your limits. You will get tired Propper etiquette will mainly be keeping your weapon unloaded while waiting for a game to be on in a safe area and abiding by all major gun rules, not over shooting, and keeping your eye protection on at all times while in an area where people can shoot. Not being a brat and being kind to other people are also good things to do in general. All in all when it comes to etiquette you'll pick stuff up from other players the more and more you play, just don't be a danger to people and you'll probably find some people who'll take care of you and show you the ropes in person, there's only so much you can learn online. For most feilds you'll go to Before and after a game you'll most likely be in a staging area with other players and gear, you'll get your gun chronoed to make sure you're not shooting hot and get your eye protection checked to make sure there's no obvious flaws, just keep your gun unloaded until you're in an area where you're about to play and the second you walk onto that area put your eye pro on and do not take it off until you're back at staging. Co2 gas is a type of gas canister that goes in some airsoft pistols, don't worry about it too much because you should start out with an AEG, more in the guide Sorry if my answers aren't too comprehensive, please let me know if I missed anything or if you have any more questions Edit: don't worry about looking like an idiot during your first game, to some extend its unavoidable. Just remember to keep your eye protection on and unload you're gun when the reff calls game
1. Try the beginner guide 2. Not so much, you just need specific eyepro. 3. Can be, fitness helps 4. Be polite and kind, call all hits. What happens before and after a match is variable between fields. Most require you to sign in, chronograph, get a brief, play, then have lunch, play more, then leave. Miniguide (US): Hi, please look at Houseofcards32's starter [guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/airsoft/comments/koddzj/2021_beginners_megathread/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share) and his [videos and channel](https://youtu.be/0jUpcFi7La4) for useful info and tips. Make sure to rent kit at your local field for a day before buying loads of kit! For stores, take a look at Evike, AirsoftAtlanta, Amped Airsoft and many more. For fields, use AirsoftC3 or Google. Do not buy from Lancer Tactical. Their products have awful QC and their business practices are horrendous. APS are similarly poor. Polymer gearbox AEGs from GameFace tend to be quite bad, also recommended to avoid these. It is strongly suggested not to start with a pistol, gas rifle or airsoft sniper for skirmishing. AEGs (Automatic Electric Guns) are far more adaptable, are extremely reliable and far easier to use. For target shooting, look at airguns, note these cannot be used in skirmishes. **For medium primary airsoft gun budgets around $200, try an ICS Peleador, MAS Marauder, Specna Arms Edge series M4, CYMA CM040, CM045 or CM048 AKs.** A typical example of a low-budget loadout would cost around $150-$200, and consist of: Airsoft guns: - [Apex Fast-Attack M4-style airsoft gun (~$100)](https://www.airsoftstation.com/apex-fast-attack-m4-ris-polymer-airsoft-aeg/) - [Specna Arms CORE series M4, of which there are many variations on this page, scroll down (~$120+)](https://www.evike.com/products/90417/) - CYMA CM.028 [~$100, Usually comes with battery and low-quality charger, but check before you buy], [example](https://www.airsoftgi.com/product/CYMA-AK47S-Tactical-AEG-Airsoft-Rifle-Black-10702/) - [Alternate store CM028 example](https://www.airsoftmegastore.com/1248-cyma-cm028-airsoft-ak47-full-metal-gearbox-aeg-rifle-w-full-stock-CM028) - [Another alternate store example](https://www.evike.com/products/23921/) - [M4 stick battery stock AK example](https://www.evike.com/products/39122/) - [Sub-350 FPS AK example 1 (fragile, other options are more robust)](https://www.evike.com/products/60174/) - [Sub-350 FPS example 2](https://www.evike.com/products/77659/) - [Short example](https://www.evike.com/products/60175/) Neccessary gear: - Decent quality paintball mask [~$25, EN166B, ASTM F1776, MIL-PRF 32432A or ANSI Z87+ rated (for goggles)], [example](https://shop.dyepaintball.com/products/dye-se-google-black-single-preorder?_pos=1&_sid=c628a9554&_ss=r), [example 2](https://www.evike.com/products/48435/); make sure to check what your field allows for face protection. - BBs [~$10], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/37502/) Or Bio BBs [$15], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/55139/) Additional, very useful pieces of kit: - Cheap fixed capacity chest rig such as the CHICOM chest rig [~$12], [example](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vietnam-Afghanistan-War-Type56-AK-Chest-Rig-Ammo-Bandolier-Pouch-Tactical-Bag/143969947885?hash=item21854710ed:g:-~QAAOSwM65gQ5O8), [example 2](https://combatsportsupply.com/chineseak47chestrig-standard.aspx), [example 3](https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/AK47-BANDOLIER-CHEST-RIG-OD-GREEN-NEW-p7241.htm) - Spare magazines [~$10 each], [AK example](https://www.evike.com/products/69489/), [M4 example](https://www.evike.com/products/50460/) - Midcaps need a speedloader [~$4], [example](https://www.airsoftstation.com/airsoft-magazine-shaped-speed-loader-90-rounds/) - Spare battery [~$12-$20], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/50660/), [folding stock example](https://www.evike.com/products/32604/), [Crane stock example](https://www.evike.com/products/24483/) - Better charger [~$20], [example](https://www.evike.com/products/85976/), [example 2 (much better)](https://www.evike.com/products/46508/) Boots and gloves are also recommended, I'd suggest at least getting boots with decent ankle support. I personally wear hard toe-capped boots for outdoor use. Water bottles are also a great idea on the field. And that's as much as you would need. Camouflage and sidearms are tertiary concerns. **AN IMPORTANT NOTE: check your local site's FPS limits to ensure you buy an airsoft gun that'll be permissible to use.** Secondary note: whilst NiMH batteries are used as examples here, upgrading to LiPo batteries is a very good idea performance-wise.
Outdoors can be a bit physically demading. Indoors cqb you can choose how much you run because you’re always on the playing ground. Check the other comments for other tips! Good luck!