Hey, my name's Aaron, and I guess now I'm another new guy on the forums. I found the site as a link from redwolfairsoft, and was suprised to find how close you guys were. I've never really been to Hoffman Estates, but I go to Schaumburg all the time, so commute to any games wouldn't be a problem, I'd just have to figure it around work, somehow... (7 days a week, and oddly timed 3rd shift second job) Thing is, are you willing to let a newbie or 2 play?

Ok, heres the story:

Aside from backyard skirmishes with springers, gas pistols, and low-end AEG's, I'd say I'm new to airsoft. I don't own an AEG myself (Just a KWC Mini Uzi, and a KWC Sigma 40F, both CO2), but I'm setting aside cash to make that purchase very soon. I'm semi-decided on what I'd like, but still unsure, so I'll go ahead and post that in the "purchases" thread.

I don't have any BDU's or gear (including the appropriate lack of holsters, mag-pouches, slings, etc.), because the extent of my airsoft experience to this point was, as stated earlier, "backyard skirmishing" I'd carry the guns, and pocket the mags, because the games would rarely last more than 45 minutes. Sadly, most of my friends get bored with it quickly. We all wish we could afford better equipment, and could find a bigger place to play, so it's shortlived often) We do play paintball, so there are masks, and goggles lying around here that I use.

Anyway, digressing...

My interest in airsoft has been around for a long time, but it really kicked into high gear after Christmas. In fact the KWC Uzi was my first purchase through redwolf, I just recieved it Dec. 29th. And, although I love the gun, I'm starting to wish I had purchased an AEG instead.

I'm looking into local areas to airsoft at as well:

Recently I've discovered that my Great Aunt has over 100 acres of land, mixed terrain, outside of Beloit, and I may be able to convert part of it to an airsoft field, hell, she may even give permission to construct obstacles/structures on it, I'm going out to speak with her in person on it tomorrow afternoon.

Also, a friend of mine, Josh, is getting severely interested as well, and he's already striving to grab a TM MP5. Him and I are probably going to recieve our new AEGs at the same time. Another friend of mine, Ryan, (younger, he's still 14 whereas I'm 18, and Josh is 17) has two AEG's: a "budgetsoft" P90, and a low-end XM8.

We understand the differences between airsoft and paintball, in fact I prefer airsoft because of the realism presented aesthetically, and I'm much more interested in a MilSim match than what speedball offers.

So, I'll get a rifle and BDU eventually, and I'm sure my two friends interested would follow suit as well. I'm prepared to (and already am) dumping alot of cash into this too.

But one thing still concerns me about heading out to play:

I'm overweight. I may be making a big deal out of it for nothing, but I've caught heavy flak for it on the painball field, particularily by the "elite" players. But, I can hold my own and move fast when needed. I have a taller frame, so really the weight's spread pretty good on me. It's just s**t like that can really suck the fun out of the game. So I was hoping you guys would turn out to be a mature group, and fun to scrim with, without all the discriminating bullshit.

Anyway, that out of the way, potentially I would be bringing three new players into the area, if I count myself. And, theres a possibility of a large new field (if you could handle an hour's commute). So, what do you guys think?

Hey Aaron, welcome to our site. We've actually been out to Rockford to play with another team, so the drive wouldnt be bad if you are able to get that 100 acres -- which would be totally sweet.

We do require an AEG to be on the team, but since you are planning on getting one soon, that shouldnt be a problem. I'm sure someone might even have an extra AEG that you can use to help you decide on something that you like.

You mentioned your friend getting an MP5 ... I would say go with a weapon that has a longer barrel. This is a lesson I learned after buying my MP5. I now have a TM M4 S-System and it shoots way farther than my MP5.

Other than that, I am glad to see you guys are into airsoft for the realism. And as for your weight, it wouldnt bother us. We dont do a lot of running at all, its all about moving slowly and tactically and an occasional sprint, but you should be fine. We have a few rather large guys on our team and they do really well

Once again, welcome to HEAT. Glad you are taking an intrest into the game and if possible, you can probably come to our next game.

Hey welcome to the boards, really hope to see you out on the field. Dont worry about your size, im 6-5 and a really easy target on the field, but its not that bad, we still all have fun out there.

Hey Aaron,
Welcome to the mystical wonders of the forums.(They're haunted) Anyway I love to see that airsoft is catching your eye. It's not a very well known activity as you may know. We would love to hopefully see you at a game sometime and as long as you have a mini uzi and a Sigma (which I believe is powerful as hell) enjoying playing with our group certainly won't be a problem. If you come to our games you'll see that we're just a bunch of easygoing guys with a love for the military simulation that airsoft offers. Good luck in your hunt for an AEG.

Hope to see you on the field,
Dan

Here's another welcome from this guy here. Glad to hear the link on Redwolf brought some hits our way. Keep in touch on the boards and we will for sure have you out for a game. Take it easy

Cool, thanks for the positive replies/welcomes. This is really starting to look like something worthwhile.

So, it seems much extra reasearch is soing to be needed in getting these "first gun" purchases. Next time Josh comes over, we'll probably start browsing reviews and specs again, this time leaning away from SMGs, and more towards rifles.

Unfortunately, I already have bad news:

My Aunt's land will most likely be off limits, even to me and a small group of local friends. I hadn't been out there in a long time, and was discussing the matter with my parents, and they just so happened to go out and visit her. She doesn't much have a problem with it, it's her daughters that do. They raise greyhounds as hunting dogs, and have the only useable land set up as a training track for them...( a rather large one). They are concerned with when we'd be out there, how many would come, and how loud the guns are (AEGs wouldn't be a problem [would they?] but something like my Uzi would spook the dogs). Since so much land was out there I wondered why we couldn't just set up along the outskirts, but it turns out that over 80% of the rest of it is contracted to agricultural companies like Green Giant and such, to provide their main source of income. I'm going to have to look elswhere for a local practice ground. I figured I can always arrange a meeting with the city mayor, to discuss who to notify of games (to avoid any mishaps that may happen), where there is the possibility of playing, etc... I'm already being urged by several people to do this anyway, and it could turn out to be profitable.

But then, you said you guys have played down here before? I'm guessing it was on private property wasn't it? Ah well, no matter... I'd rather head out to your field for my first game anyway, speaking of which, what kind of timeframe should I plan for if I were able to come to one?

hey dont fret about BDUS and such, you can get those anywhere from online and most army surplus stores or thrift stores and if you look right,you can find them pretty cheep. I see that a lot of peopel use vests to hold their mags and gear but i didnt like that idea and i have only used the alice system before so that is what i use for my gear. I was reading what you wrote about your gun role and such and you have an idea on what you like so just look into the cammo and choose a pattern and material that fits who you are. I dont know that much about guns just how to use them, but i do knwo about military gear. Get your gun first and then you clothes, thats my tip

Thats too bad about the field , but yea, we have played (near?) joliet before. I know the store Aggressive Sports Joliet is down there and since they hosted a game out at Fox River Paintball, I assume its pretty close.

The drive for us to get to fox river paintball was an hour and a half, but we dont take expressways to get there.

Definately look into longer range weapons because most of our fields we play at are still to big for us to hit anyone, so I doubt the UZI will achieve the distance, but it would still be cool for your first game.