Border War MILSIM 9 – DOGS OF WAR organised by the Border War Crew defended its crown as the Best Airsoft Event at the Airsoft Players’ Choice Award, winning the title for 5 consecutive times and inducted into the Hall of Fame during the Airsoft Meetup at the IWA Outdoor Classics 2017 in Nuremberg, Germany. The world-class MILSIM event observed its 9th anniversary this year and the BW Crew moved forward in the level of organisational readiness and fine-tuned a few of the mission fragments of the organisation to really establish a world-class benchmark for organising airsoft events. Gameplay for this year was tested by a not really favourable weather condition before the game start but proves that hard dedication is crucial to enjoy the event no matter the weather.

Border War 9 – Dogs of War was held in Czech Republic in the former Ralsko Military area last 7 to 9 April 2017. The event took place in the first half of April and hosted players from 35 countries from around the world. Participants undertook intensive 50-hour day and night infantry MILSIM battles in under very demanding weather across a wide terrain.

Border War 9 (BW9) upgraded player services compared to previous events. Especially by opening the registration with a one day added to normal schedule and introducing a new electronic registration system that enabled player on-the-spot registration proved 40% faster than usual. Border War 9 again assured its status of a world-leading event, proving itself as a benchmark in many aspects of airsoft MILSIM event organising. The event’s success is based on feedback via electronic questionnaires filled-in by players.

BW9 traditionally hosted historical vehicles, as well as having in the game the Pandur II provided by Czech Army, and VTOL aircraft for in-game insertion airmobile players directly to the heat of the battle. Other features of the event are fortified bunkers, antitank obstacles, armored vehicles, cannon, ammo crates, rockets, satellites, and much more were seen across many game areas built for the purpose of the event.

A LARP city featured 21 buildings, and was added to a slightly new location next to the PMC barracks. The LARP element this year had around 200 LARP characters enjoying their role-play that was integrated closely to the game scenario.

The CN Observers is a faction that was reintroduced, previously on Border War 1. The CN Observers element brought in lot of interesting gameplay and realistic elements. According to players’ feedback and its positive attitude, this fraction will be as well in limited numbers to be included in Border War 10.

Cooperation with Authorities

The main partners of the event for the third time are the Czech Army and Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. The Czech Army offered participants to have a hands-on on the Pandur II APC. There was a\real steel weapons display, and exhibition of the Anti-chemical Warfare unit from Liberec. Participants actively asked many questions as well checking out real steal weapons brought in for a display by the professional soldiers, taking pictures and trying out the APC. The APC at some point of the game took an active part, scaring AFL players marching to their positions.

Sponsors and Shops

Main Sponsor of the event was ASG (Action Sport Games), G&G Armaments and Redwolf Airsoft. BBs, merchandise and replicas were distributed to the participants to test replicas before game and in-game as well. Event was also supported by Gunfire, Bohemia Airsoft, Jackets to Go, 365+, and Valken Tactical.

Logistical Support

The off-zone offered a large variety of airsoft products and goodies to take from the sponsors; also shops with equipment for the airsoft players; gifts and samples from sponsors were given to the players for free. The players also had a chance to put their hands on the new products brought in by the sponsors. Traditional professional catering accompanied the whole event with excellent food at reasonable prices and great non-alcoholic Czech beer.

Behind the Scenes

BW9 preparation included the several pre-scenarios supporting the pre-game development that took 10 months. On the spot BW Crew consisted of enlarged group of 200 people. Due to the Border Wars’ professional organization, it was allowed to use for the game a large area of the natural park for the third year in the row. For this year, the large scale inspection by in-game forest rangers confirmed the BW crew’s professionally, especially with the use of Points-of-Interest banners instead of building of structures (which is not allowed in the natural park). The BW crew received very positive feedback from authorities for its very professional organization.

Player Safety and Medical Care

Border War MILSIM’s main focus is safety of the players above all. Professional medical services provided by the Association of Czech Samaritans introduced a significantly upgraded level of health care for players. 5 Ambulances, more than 45 paramedics on jeeps and quad bikes, and doctors were present throughout the whole duration of the game with the medical readiness for a higher level of risk environment. This was so far a better and larger medical and safety service for players not seen in other airsoft events in other parts of the world.

Of course, the event was as well supported by local firefighters and police department. Safety of the players is the organizers’ priority.

The unique points of Border War 9

• Fastest registration for the event in airsoft history – sold out few minutes.
• Fastest registration on the spot due to electronic system used for the first time in the Border War MILSIM history
• Nature friendly event – only Bio BBs were used during the event.
• Largest game battlefield ever used in Europe, and maybe in the world
• Largest Airmobile insertion in airsoft history
• Use of Pandur II in game.
• Large LARP city in airsoft history (including the heavily fortified castle and large-scale fortified Task Force base and CN base)
• Most advanced medical and safety standard for an airsoft event in Europe, and maybe the world
• Largest organising crew ever to organise an airsoft event in Europe (maybe in the world) with 200 members.
• Largest usage of PES (Personal Eye System) by Milsistematika for an Airsoft event
• Several trucks of game props were transported and used in game
• 17 chrono stations with 25 Border War Chrono Crew managed to the make fastest chrono check ever in the airsoft history in Czech Republic (maybe in the world)
• Several heavy trucks were used to transport players in-game and off-game
• Czech Army Supported the Event – with one of the most modern technical displays for the public and used in-game

About the Organiser

The Border War Crew have been organising large-scale international airsoft MILSIM games since 2008 and having in its portfolio more than 110 organised events since 2003.

Border War MILSIM was five times voted as the Best Airsoft Event in the world by readers of Popular Airsoft when Border War 8 was voted as the Best Airsoft Event of 7th Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards. Border War MILSIM entered the Hall Of Fame of Airsoft Players’ Choice Awards, thanks to 5 victories in a row and being the first airsoft event to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

About the Scenario

The fictional scenario brought players to Quasambi foothills where Lindiwe AFL units raided neighboring Namboko diamond mines. Government forces of Namboko, through the use of Task Force 26 fought off the AFL invaders across the border territory whilst simultaneously launching a counter-offensive in the territory of Lidiwe which are under control of the AFL in order to disrupt AFL lines of supply and to destroy its logistical support elements that are helping its frontline units.

Battle opened in a bit harsh weather condition postponing the airmobile operation from the originally planned Friday morning to Saturday morning due to non-conducive flight conditions. Nevertheless, all units were inserted and joined a large-scale operation later on during the game.

Game Flow Summary:

 There were hundreds of missions distributed during the event but we will be mainly condensing the main game flow summary.

On Friday, Task Force units managed to push hard against the AFL supply elements and as well as the main AFL compound. The key target was the Tractor factory where AFL vehicles were being repaired and was successfully put out of order --- thus, the Task Force achieved a main strategic objective early in the game. Whilst control of the helicopter supply landing zone was established by the AFL, hard fighting in the area of the Tractor Repair Facility made them unable to take this advantage. AFL units in the meantime managed to cooperate with the GRA faction via its emissary who was plotting a diversion against Task the Force hidden in the GRA compound. CN Observers focused on improving support on the villagers who in most cases tried to survive the horror of the battle by sending smugglers and looking for opportunities to scavenge as much as they can from the situation.

Bishop Security Forces actively supported CN Observers in their war crime investigations and provided humanitarian support to local villages.

On Saturday, the good weather boosted the morale of the AFL as they organised a counterattack on the TF main compound – creating a constant battle in the area of Kumi village and probing the Task Force’s first line of defenses. The defence line was maintained intact and it didn’t fall to the AFL. The AFL reestablished full control of their supply lines and kept it for the whole day. The AFL also managed to get the supplies flowing from the helicopter landing zone to the main base and to the tractor repair facility, which was the main strategic objective of the AFL. In the diamond mountain sector, the AFL forces managed to significantly weaken Task Force operations while launching a massive counteroffensive. Task Force units were then forced to change the doctrine and proceed to conduct guerilla warfare - before they were pushed back to the Namboko on the southern river crossing after taking serious damage at the FOB outpost. Diamond mines have changed ownership several times during the battle producing a decent amount of raw diamonds flowing to various game sides.

The AFL worked hard to maintain good relationships with the CN Observers. Unfortunately, this effort was lost when AFL’s reckless raiders destroyed the CN Observers compound on Saturday evening on their way to the destroy TF base. Task Force established a good relationship with the CN Observers during the battle and increased the CN point of view on the faction.

Sunday saw a big a battle in the village of Kumi where huge numbers of Task Force units clashed with several AFL companies supported by the GRA. Both game sides suffered lot of casualties in this final clash and pulled their units back to the bases.

In general all game sides managed to work hard on all their strategic objectives managing to gain local tactical victories. We are not able to conclude if the AFL or the Task Force were the winners since in the larger strategic picture it looks more like a draw.

Practical Example On Objectives:

 For example, the loss of the TF FOB did not have a great strategic impact on the overall picture, as it was more or less a respawn area for the TF units – it did not have any significant strategic importance when looking at the big picture. On the other side, the loss of the Tractor factory on Friday on the side of the AFL and repelling the TF units from the front perimeter of the AFL base means that TF managed to adequately disrupt the enemy supply lines which was a main strategic goal in that area, forcing the AFL command to pull out troops from one sector to the other over the river crossing to ensure the main base will not fall was exactly what was expected by the TF HQ when they planned their missions. So we can say in that situation, the strategic objective of TF units was achieved in a very short time. Nevertheless, a tactical victory was achieved by the TFL against the TF FOB on Saturday.

Bishop Security and GRA managed to fulfill their tactical objectives without any problems. The CN observers actually managed to complete more than was expected to be achievable.

I personally did not see any significant strategic, win objective-wise, by game factions of BW9. All sides performed very well accordingly to the players of these groups, counting in the weather. I would say it was a quite interesting multi-mission, large scale scenario where the situation was changing every moment that was professionally managed by all HQs quite well. They also managed the implement countermeasures aimed on overturning tactical superiority on one game side to the other.

I would like to mainly thank all BW Trustees, Game Masters, Companyy Commanders, and Platoon Commanders for leading the players to their objectives. You made very good job.

There have been some comments in the feedback regarding the weather; it was quite unlucky that we had rain before the game started. Also, the first day of game was actually a bit colder weather for main part of the game though it made a nice 15-degrees of Celsius for the main game day and nice 5 degrees in the evening. There was no player collapsing due to heat stroke during the game. This weather actually caused lowest amount of medical support needed during and before the gameplay, no dehydration problems, and most players stayed playing until Sunday. There are always 2 sides of the coin even looking at the rain.

We have evaluated the feedback from the players sent electronically and we have received a very positive result of more than 91% satisfied players attending the event out of a 75% sample of respondents attending the event. We also saw some things that we need to improve just like every year and for our 10th anniversary in 2018, we would like to evolve and make things better.

In conclusion BW9 nine was a successful event.

Thanks one more time all players for their trust and loyalty we are looking forward to see you next year.

- Mike von Bulow and BW Crew

Prior to the release of what is considered to be the best smartphone to date, the Samsung Galaxy S8, the company has been a butt of jokes for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle, in which it had to make a worldwide recall of the smartphone due to its exploding battery. The problem was so bad that the Note 7 was banned by airlines and other places due to the danger it posed.

The U.S. Navy is also worried about exploding batteries, as they may cause fire, and fire is the greatest danger to ships always. Lithium Ion batteries, widely used in many electronic gadgets, from smartphones, to cameras, to e-cigarettes or vapes, can explode if the gadget puts stress on the battery due to design (such as making it making more compact) and will cause for the battery to overheat and explode. For the U.S. Navy banned vaping inside ships as there were 15 incidents that happened between October 2015 and June 15, 2016 that caused injury to Navy personnel or fire/material damage according to the NPR. Eight of these incidents took place inside ships and aircraft.

With the rise of e-cigs or vaping in the Navy, as sailors try to overcome boredom while in ships, has caused concern that incidents may increase, leading to its ban.

But, there may be hope for vaping sailors and if it gets released for use in the civilian sector, will be good news for anyone who uses a electronic and mobile device, including us airsoft players who also use a lot of batteries just to enjoy the hobby/sport.

In a report on Popular Science, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has announced a breakthrough in battery technology that will be safe at the same time rechargeable and could just be made to use in electric vehicles, including ships. The important material here is the use of Zinc, which is used by alkaline batteries that are not flammable. The only problem with the use of Zinc for rechargeable batteries is that it is prone to forming dendrites which are tiny problematic spikes.

What the NRL chemists have done is to reconstitute in another form, allowing an alkaline battery to be rechargeable without the problematic dendrites. They are partnering with EnZinc to create a 3D Zinc Battery,  “a safer, more affordable rechargeable battery to market for electric vehicles, ebikes, and home and grid energy storage,” as reported by the Next Big Future.

Hopefully, we get to use the same technology for airsoft, since we also have problems with the use of Lithium Polymers (Lipoly) as there have been cases of these batteries exploding while used in game as shown in this video:

As for the Navy Sailors affected by the vaping ban, they might just petition to NRL to also create a non-flammable rechargeable battery to be used with their vapes.

The Resident Evil 7 video game is back in the radar of airsoft players again after the surprise announcement of Tokyo Marui, revealing the “Thor’s Hammer” or “Albert. W. Model 02” Automatic Electric Shotgun (AES) that is based on the SGR-12 AES that is a totally original design by Tokyo Marui.  The “Thor’s Hammer” is part of the “Not A Hero” free DLC that was announced by CAPCOM.

Some unfortunate news for fans of the video game as CAPCOM has to take back its announcement of releasing the DLC in the Spring of 2017. Whilst the story of Resident Evil 7 is about Ethan Winters’ search of his wife Mia leading him the Baker House, the “Not A Hero” DLC is a story chapter on Chris Redfield. Chris Redfield is one of the original player protagonists of Resident Evil, apart from Jill Valentine. Together with Valentine, they managed to take down Umbrella Corporation in Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.

As to when it is going to be released, CAPCOM, no new release date has been mentioned. The company says that they find the DLC to be “not good enough to meet” the high expectations given that critical praise to Resident Evil 7 when it was released early this year.

Chris Redfield had a cameo at the end of Resident Evil 7, though fans are divided as others don’t think it is really him. However, CAPCOM confirmed that it was Chris Redfield, with director Koushi Nakanishi saying that they went with a more “photo realistic rendering” of the characters and thus, looking less bulgy. As for the “Not A Hero” DLC, no details yet on what Redfield will be undertaking.

For the Tokyo Marui “Thor’s Hammer/ Albert. W. Model 02” AES, it will be going to have a limited release in Summer 2017. Since it uses the AES tech as seen in the Tokyo Marui AA-12, the first AES released, it is capable of shooting 30 rounds per second on full auto with three inner barrels with their own hop-ups. This is a bigger version of the SGR-12 AES which was revealed last year by the company during the press event of the 3rd Tokyo Marui Festival.  Just like the SGR-12, it will be able to use the AA-12 AES drum magazine, and uses the M-Lok rail system.

The appearance of “Thor’s Hammer/ Albert. W. Model 02” in the “Not A Hero” DLC marks for the first time that a weapon that is originally designed by airsoft manufacturer is adopted for a video game. The weapons used in the video game are based on real world designs. With the collaboration between Tokyo Marui and CAPCOM in releasing airsoft versions of the Resident Evil weapons, this is a new level of partnership, allowing Tokyo Marui to introduce its own weapon designs for the video game.

As always, the Japanese airsoft company chalks up another first in airsoft (and perhaps video game) history.

Next week, some of biggest names in model hobbies will be setting up shop at the Twin Messe Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The companies will announce their latest offerings for the year as at the 56th Shizuoka Hobby Show well as reveal product roadmaps of their upcoming releases for buyers from all over the world to watch out for. For airsoft players, there is only one name that they will be looking forward to hear news from, and that is Tokyo Marui.

Tokyo Marui for years has a big presence at the Shizuoka Hobby Show and it is an important show for airsoft players as Tokyo Marui unveils or reveals new and upcoming products on two big occasions every year. The first one is the Shizuuka Hobby Show for the first part of the year, and the second event is the Tokyo Marui Festival that takes place in the Fall season, replacing the All Japan Model & Hobby Show to hold product announcements.

There has been a warm-up sorts last week, with the announcement of the Resident Evil 7: Biohazard “Thor’s Hammer” AES Shotgun that will be seen in the “Not a Hero” DLC of the game. But still, the company has the habit of surprising us with new product announcements that just come out of the blue, making them to be unpredictable, which also makes it fun.

Whilst we speculate what products will be unveiled, the company also has some come ons for both trade and public visitors which probably you know by now. The mainstay is the shooting range where visitors get to shoot some of the latest airsoft guns the company has to offer and they can also purchase Tokyo Marui merchandise such as t-shirts and coffee mugs as their “Official Webshop” will be on site as well.

One interesting thing at Tokyo Marui Shizuoka Hobby Show page, is the mention of the collaboration between the company and God Hand to develop the Ultimate Nipako P-285, which is based on the P-90 TR. We have reached out to the company for some more information, but probably they will reveal more of this project on the opening day of the Hobby Show. What we know is that God Hand and Tokyo Marui will also be releasing a set of airsoft maintenance tools, given than God Hand is known for its nippers.

If you are planning to visit the 56th Shizuoka Hobby Show, the 11th to 12th of May will be for Trade visitors only. If you are not a trade visitor, then you can join the general public troop to the Hobby show on the 13th to 14th as these are the public days.

We’ll post photos of the Tokyo Marui show area from the event as soon as we get them.

The problem with making money off YouTube continues as another group of YouTubers, those that cover Call Of Duty games, are experiencing a decline in revenues. The problem here is that in YouTube’s “Advertiser-friendly content guidelines” videos that contain violence, whether real or fictional can be considered not to be appropriate for advertising. Thus, Call of Duty, which has a big online community of YouTubers, can covered by this guideline, and thus, may make it difficult for COD YouTubers to make money off their video content.

PrestigeIsKey, a popular COD YouTuber with over a million subscribers, put out this video explaining the problem:

YouTube please fix yourself and give your creators more transparency. Sometimes the people behind this platform forget that many of us rely on ad-dollars for our families. YouTube has leverage being the LARGEST traffic holder for content on the internet. Advertisers would be silly not to promote on this site in my eyes.

Kotaku reports that ever since the announcement of COD: WWII by Activision, things just turned worse for the community. Since the game has a World War II theme, Kotaku says that YouTubers may risk further demonetization if they talk about it.

A cause for this is the Wall Street Journal story about ads appearing on YouTube videos that promote hatred or racism or violence leading to major advertisers pulling out their ads from the biggest video sharing site in the world. YouTube put into place “brand safety controls” to allow advertisers to choose how their ads be displayed, allowing them to avoid videos that are considered to be “high risk”.

It has been suggested for the YouTubers affected to create more “advertiser friendly” content which may mean that they get off producing what they do best, producing content about developments in the Call of Duty video game, which is almost tantamount to telling them to commit mass suicide. Other YouTubers are looking for ways to monetize their content with ad just part of their revenue streams, like having subscribers support the via Patreon, merchandizing, or other creative ways just to support themselves and their families.

We have not heard stories from airsoft YouTubers if they are already experiencing a significant downturn in revenues. But it is something they have to watch out for, since airsoft is a grey area that YouTube or advertisers may determine that their content is not appropriate. If it happens it may also time to seek other wise to monetize their content other than advertising.

Sig Sauer’s P320 pistol, after winning the U.S. Army XM17 Modular Handgun System (to be designated as the M17 MHS), looks to delivering to the rest of the branches of the U.S. Military as the Navy, Marines and Air Force will accept the pistol for service. The P320 is set to replace the Beretta M9 as the standard sidearm of the U.S. Army.

In a report at the Kit Up! Blog of Military.com, Matthew Cox writes that while the GAO (Government Accountability Office) will still need to make a decision in June on the protest of Glock which the company filed last February 17, the U.S. Army can continue with its work on the newly selected pistol. Also, Cox writes in a separate story that the 101st Airborne Division will be the first unit to receive the M17 MHS.

There is mentioned set contact amount from the other services for the M17 MHS, but the U.S. Army contract is already worth US$580 million over a 10-year period. Sig Sauer has been winning contracts in the USA with the P320, the latest win being the Immigration and Customs, which is being protested by FN America (FN Herstal’s U.S. arm).

If the GAO upholds the win of the Sig Sauer on the U.S. Army contract, over 420,000 pistols will be purchased by the U.S. Army and the other services.

For the M17 MHS contract, Sig Sauer is to supply both the full size and compact versions that are both configurable to accept silencers and include standard and extended capacity magazines. The P320/M17 is modular handgun that can be adjusted in terms of frame size and caliber. It is a striker-fired pistol just like the Glock series. So far, the U.S. Army has been mum on what ammunition will the pistol use, though it can be used with the 9mm, .357SIG and .40SGW.

Top Photo:  U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Finneran with the P320 (Photo by Capt. Charlie Emmons, U.S. Army)

I loved slingshots when we were kids, but though I’ve “outgrown” them when I moved to airsoft. But there is a world out there where men love their slingshots, using it for hunting or even as a backup weapon. Even one slingshot master got a big following on YouTube, even airsofters know him, and his name is Joerg Sprave of the Slingshot Channel.

With our love of gadgets to attached to airsoft such as weapons lights, you might say that can get impressed to see a slingshot kitted out with a laser. One’s making round in interwebs and it just look awesome. The Assolar SS-12 Multi-function Super Power Stainless Hunting Laser Slingshot spotted by the Gadgeteer looks an out of this world weapon, but it is a proper slingshot that hunters and survival experts would love to have.

It has an infrared sight and laser flashlight to give you the tools for a more precise aiming. This is a really serious slingshot with combination of the aiming devices and ball bearings as ammo, a prey may have lesser chances of being missed by a slingshot hunter. Even John Rambo would like to have this arsenal of stealth weapons.

Speaking of John Rambo, he won’t need to bring a bow and arrow with him if gets the Assolar SS-12. It can also be installed with an arrow pad so it can be used to shoot arrows though the package does not come with a bunch of arrows.

It would be awesome if we have slingshots to sling BBs with in airsoft, though I have no idea if they can have a stable flight as compared to being shot out of an inner barrel. But if somebody does make a slingshot that can be used with BBs, please do make one like the Assolar SS-12 so it will look cool with the laser device.

The Assolar SS-12 is available on Amazon.com for US$88.98.

All eyes of the airsoft community will be on Shizuoka City in Japan next week when the 56th Shizuoka Hobby Show will take place from the 11th to the 14th of May 2017 at the Shizuoka Twin Messe. This is when Tokyo Marui will make its first major announcements of upcoming products for the year and it is always a big thing for airsoft players as to what the company will unveil this year.

What everybody misses are the pre-event teasers by Tokyo Marui which they have stopped doing so in recent years. The pre-event teasers are some quick sneak peek of features of products that they wil unveil at the event such as Shizuoka Hobby Show or the All Japan Model & Hobby Show (now replaced by the Tokyo Marui Festival). The teasers will leave us speculating on what products will be unveiled, which only few will be able to guess what these will be and most will be more than surprised as some of these products come out of the left field.

Since Tokyo Marui have stopped with the tradition (though they may just do it again anytime), Hyperdouraku, the most read airsoft blog in Japan (and can count on us as avid followers too), decided to come out with its own pre-event teasers and officially called it a “Tokyo Marui New Product Forecast”. I enjoin you to guess what these are before scrolling down further below the images:

Now, before you get your hopes up that these are going to be the products that Tokyo Marui will announce at the event, you might just get disappointed. These are all features that Hyperdouraku hopes that the company will produce and are taken from photos of real guns which I list here:

1. Type 89 SDF GBB (Hyperdouraku wants a Gas Blowback version)
2. HK416A5 NEG
3. H&K VP9 GBB
4. H&K M110A1 CSASS NEG
5. SilencerCo Maxim 9 Integrally Suppressed Handgun GBB (something we would like to see in airsoft)
6. SIG XM17 GBB (based on the SIG P320)
7. SIG MCX AEG/NEG
8. MP5 MLI AEG (Mid Life Improvemet with the RAL 8000 colour)

The list is really a wishlist and many of us would probably agree to this list given that Tokyo Marui can base on existing products to produce these, especially the Heckler & Koch weapon designs given that they have similar products already in the market such as the MP5, HK416 and HK417; and it would be something if they can release an MP5 that features their electric blowback and simulated recoil technology.

Will any in the list make it to what the company will unveil later this week? I don’t know, but I do hope it is something that we will all be happy to see in the airsoft fields in the latter parts of the year.

It is that news again that we have been dreading in the airsoft community, a young man holding a BB gun by shot by the police after he refused to follow their instructions. In this case, San Diego Police fatally shot a 15-year old in front of Torrey Pines High School where he was a freshman student. According to the police, he was carrying a semi-automatic BB air pistol.

There is no further confirmation if the BB pistol is an actual airsoft gun. Nevertheless, whether it is an airsoft gun or not, as long as it resembles a firearm, the police will defend themselves if they think it is a real weapon being pointed at them. This has been proven before and the result will always be the same, either the death or injury to the person holding the imitation firearm.

The unfortunate incident started when somebody called 911 at 3:27am, believed to be the same boy, asking the police to check the welfare of a unarmed boy standing in front of the school. When the officers arrived, the boy “pulled a handgun that was concealed in his waistband and pointed it at one of the officers,” according to the police.

The officers reacted by quickly drawing their weapons, ordering the boy to drop the gun. The boy refused to obey their orders and started walking towards one office, forcing them to open fire and hit the boy several times. They performed first aide and called for paramedics, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Both officers hd their body cameras on when the incident took place, giving investigators video footage for them to review. One of the officers is has been with the force for 28 years while the other is four years.

Incidents like this have led to some members of the airsoft community calling for age limits in owning an airsoft gun to prevent children and teenagers from carrying these in public. Many countries put age restrictions, which usually allows those 18 years and above to purchase airsoft guns and those below 18 years old can only use airsoft guns under the supervision of someone who is over 18 years old.

Top Photo: San Diego Police Interceptor (Source: Wikipedia)

Another story this week that many in the airsoft community would consider to be an “overreach” by a school in Ohio; and for students, they may have to think twice before “liking” an image of a weapon on social media --- their schools maybe watching their activities online.

A news report on FOX19 tells the story of a student at Edgewood Middle School in Trenton, Ohio was suspended for 10 days by his school after he “liked” or rather gave a “heart” to an airsoft gun posted on Instagram that has a caption saying “Ready.”

Photo:The Instagram post in question (Screenshot taken by FOX19)

Zachary Bowlin was on Instagram at around 7 or 8 in the evening when he “liked” the airsoft gun photo. But on the next day, he was called down to the school office where he was patted down for weapons. He was given a 10-day suspension together with the boy who posted the photo and his parents were informed that the cause for his suspension is "Liking a post on social media that indicated potential school violence."

The parents protested the suspension, "I was livid, I mean, I’m sitting here thinking ‘you just suspended him for ten days for liking a picture of a gun on a social media site," father Marty Bowlin said in the news report, adding that, "He never shared, he never commented, he never made a threatening post… anything on the site, just liked it."

After the school found out that the photo was an airsoft gun that fires plastic pellets, the suspension was revoked and Bowlin can report to school without any threat of penalty.

Edgewood City Schools Superintendent Russ Fussnecker issued a statement on the issue:

Concerning the recent social media posting of a gun with the caption “Ready”, and the liking of this post by another student, the policy at Edgewood City Schools reads as follows:

The Board has a “zero tolerance” of violent, disruptive, harassing, intimidating, bullying, or any other inappropriate behavior by its students.
Furthermore, the policy states: 

Students are also subject to discipline as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct that occurs off school property when the misbehavior adversely affects the educational process.

As the Superintendent of the Edgewood City Schools, I assure you that any social media threat will be taken serious including those who “like” the post when it potentially endangers the health and safety of students or adversely affects the educational process.”

Airsoft forums can debate whether the school acted properly on the information it had or has overreacted. But remember that many schools are very concerned with students having an interest in weapons, especially guns, always keeping in mind the Columbine High School Massacre in 1999 where two senior students murdered 12 students and 1 teacher. Schools are targeted in the U.S. with the deadliest being the Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre when 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot 20 children and 6 adults to death in 2012.

Still, be careful on what you do on Social Media, as what you post may be used against you. Think hard before clicking that “Like” button.

Today is the first day of the 56th Shizuoka Hobby Show and probably many of you have been visiting Japanes airsoft blogs and websites to find out what Tokyo Marui has unveiled to excite airsoft players this year. So far, the most exciting airsoft shotguns for this year are now on full display for visitors to learn more at the show.

The SGR-12 AES and its bigger sibling the Albert.Model 02 “Thor’s Hammer” are on display at the event as well as another gas blowback, the M4A1 Carbine for those who prefer this model has been announced for this year. There are other airsoft guns and weapons accessories that have also been revealed.

Here are the photos/images of the new products together with the specifications, as well as the Tokyo Marui display are at the Hobby Show:

Name: SGR-12

Series: Automatic Electric Shotgun
Price: Undetermined:
On-Sale: June to July, 2017
Target Age: Over 18 years old

Features

• Tokyo Marui original Electric Shotgun. SGR-12 means “RE GENERATED SHOTGUN 12A”.
• Most of main parts are made of aluminum cutting work. (E.g.: outer barrel, upper frame, under rail, gas pipe, flash hider)
• M-LOK Attachment System is newly adopted. Each 1pc of three different length of rails (3 slot, 5 slot, 7 slot) for M-LOK are equipped.
• M-LOK rail is planned to release as an optional part.
• Flip-up Front and Rear Sight. Possible siting with closing site.
• 96 Rounds see-though type magazine. Dummy cartridge is installed.
• AA-12 magazine can be used to SGR-12. SGR-12 magazine is also used for AA-12.
• Magazine guide is shorter than AA-12, this magazine is easy to change.
• Front sling adopter fixed gas block can be replaced right with left.
• Mechabox performance is the same as AA-12.
• FET is adopted. It reduces the damage of switch.
• Full (10 shots per second)/Semi-Automatic selective fire. 30 shots per second (3 shots x 10 times)
• 3 round fire from 3 barrels. Adjust hop-up individually.
• To adjust Hop-Up, pulling the charging handle. Charging handle can be replaced right with left.
• Kashima-coat of alumite is used for nozzle guide. This makes nozzle motion and 3   shots supply smoothly.

Production Specifications

• Length: 730 mm
• Inner Barrel Length: 270 mm
• Weight: 4,400g （if the magazine is empty）
• Capacity: 96rounds (Undetermined)
• Caliber: 6mm BB（0.2〜0.25g）
• Power Source: 8.4V 1,300mAh Ni-MH Mini S Battery

Name: Thor’s Hammer <Albert.W.Model 02>

Series: Automatic Electric Shotgun
Price: Undetermined   
On-Sale: In summer 2017
Target Age: Over 18 years old

Features:

• Electric Shotgun SGR-12 is a base. This is designed as limited edition for the game “RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard” produced by COPCOM.
• This gun is appeared “Not A Hero” which is the free download contents of  “RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard”.
• This is the collaboration model with “RESIDENT EVIL”. It is the first collaboration product except for hand guns.
• The specification for Thor’s Hammer:
  • 13.5 inch barrel.
  • Flash hider is powerful design.
  • Hand guard is Marui original “C cutter” design. The size, the shapes of lightening, the configuration of the front, top rail are the different from SGR-12. *Adopted M-LOK is the same as SGR-12.
  • Butt plate is newly designed.
  • Dummy shot shell inside of magazine is green color.
  • Planned to engrave the mark of Thor’s Hammer by laser.
  • Dedicated gun case (undetermined)
  • Other specifications and shooting performance are the same as SGR-12.

Production Specifications:

• Length: Undetermined
• Inner Barrel Length: Undetermined
• Weight: Undetermined
• Capacity: 96rounds (Undetermined)
• Caliber: 6mm BB（0.2〜0.25g）
• Power Source: 8.4V 1,300mAh Ni-MH Mini S Battery

Name: M4A1 Carbine

Series: Gas Blowback Machinegun
Price: Undetermined
On-Sale: Early Summer
Target Age: Over 18 years old

Features:

• M4A1 MWS basis. M4A1 Carbine basic model. The mechanism and shooting performance are the same as M4A1 MWS.
• Inside of handguard, there is reproduced heat shield made of aluminum press.
• Newly reproduced initial taper type by aluminum cutting work for outer barrel.
• Attachable carrying handle is equipped.
• Adjustable six-phased enhanced type stock.

Production Specifications:

• Length: 777 / 854 mm (Stock retracted)
• Inner Barrel Length: 250 mm
• Weight: 2,950g (if the magazine is empty)
• Capacity: 35 rounds
• Caliber: 6mm BB（0.2〜0.25g）
• Power Source: HFC134a

Other Products Revealed

Air Handgun Series for over 10 years old and planned to be ready in summer 2017

• •Desert Eagle Stainless (JPY3,200)
• •SIG P228 Stainless (JPY3,200)
• •M92F Slide Silver (JPY3,200)
• •M92F Frame Silver (JPY3,200)
• •Centimeter Master Black (JPY2,500)
• •Auto MAG III Black (JPY2,500)

Micro Dot

• Release date (Undetermined)
• Price (undetermined)
• Under development the mount for GLOCK and 20mm rail

Accuracy Bipod

• Coming soon / JPY9,800

Quick Adjust 2-Point Sling

• Coming soon/JPY3,500

Tokyo Marui & God Hand Nipako Collaboration

Now, you see an illustatration of Nipako, the character of the Japanese company, God Hand, in Tokyo Maruio promotional materials. The companies have collaborated to provide airsoft players with airsoft maintenance tools given that God Hand is well-known for creating excellent nippers and tools.

Many of you are wondering if the illustration, in which Nipako (created by Satoshi Koike) holding a P-285, this is just a one-off product that is designed for Nipako's use in survival games in Japan as part of the promotion and is based on the P-90TR AEG from Tokyo Marui.

As for the tools, these will be released by Marui and designed for the screws and parts seen in their airsoft guns. These are hexagon wrenches, cross slot screwdriver, and flat-head screwdriver that are in packaged in a fabric case. They are planning to release this in June.

More photos at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.

Five days ago, Void Interactive posted online the trailer for their upcoming Tactical Shooter Game. “Ready or Not” looks like to be a game that aims to give Ubisoft’s  “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege” a run for its money as it is a game that close resembles it and the SWAT game series.

In “Ready or Not” a player is part of a SWAT team tasked to undertake dangerous missions such as hostage rescue and taking out the bad guys. It has a single player mode as well as cooperative modes for up to 8 players. The setting is a bit dystopian in which the situation of the class conflict in America has come to a head plunging the country into chaos.

Apart from the firearms that will be used in the game, we see also the use of non-lethal weapons such as beanbag shotguns, tasers, and pepper sprays). According to Void Interactive, here are the interesting features of the game that players would welcome:

Incremental lean system

Our most prominent feature involves the players ability to maneuver around obstacles, opening up infinite possibilities regarding tactical positions. Players can duck under low cover to avoid oncoming fire, or peak above high cover in order to spot and return fire upon the enemy. The assigned keys can be tapped in any order to “peek”. On top of this, we have also included a classic quick-lean system seen in many shooters.

Incremental Door control system

This gameplay feature allows for doors of multiple types such as sliding, swinging, and revolving doors, to be manipulated by the mouse wheel at any time. Provided the door is unlocked, players can interact and incrementally move them.

Modular speed control

Our final mouse-wheel-based feature involves the control of the player’s speed by scrolling up or down. This allows for precise movement in a close-quarters environment, which may mean the difference between life and death in a hostile situation. This, of course, can be re-bound to suit our users needs.

Simulated and detailed third person inventory

In a real life situation, each item has its place in a loadout. We wanted to ensure this level of replication, so we included detailed animations and systems which show your teammates exactly what you’re doing. Magazines, grenades, and items are retrieved and returned to their specific pouches, with the pouch flaps opening and closing in synchronicity with the players reload or draw, respectively.

Convex collision armour, allowing for precise protection

Armour collision in Ready or Not is calculated based on the mesh coverage on the player, allowing for accurate levels of realistic ballistic protection.
Projectile dynamics, bullets penetrate, ricochet, and deteriorate

Rounds have realistic range, drag, and tumble velocity. Calibers and ammunition types affect how far and how well a projectiles penetrate and exit. All rounds have the ability to ricochet based on surface materials and angle of impact, and deflection has recently been included as a feature. Less-than-lethal rounds will be unlikely to penetrate, but can sometimes still kill depending on proximity and impact area.

Responsive damage system and effects

If a player is shot in the legs, movement is slowed down based on the level of damage. Arm damage will decrease accuracy and increase draw times. Head damage, provided it is survived, can intermittently “haze” the players vision. This is all shown via a passive (read: hidden unless needed) indicator at the bottom of the screen.

Visceral gore

Deaths need to be impactful to the end user and we’re committed to providing an experience like no other. If characters in the game are hit, parallax bullet holes spawn on flesh, and blood will then seep out into surrounding fabrics. A gory bullet hole also becomes an emitter, as individuals who knock their wounds onto objects create a small splatter, based on bone velocity. In the future, we plan to implement an entire bodily destruction system.

Highly detailed weapons, characters and environments

As seen in our gallery and teaser, Ready or Not’s assets aren’t camera-shy. A realistic and high-detail representation of all assets is necessary in immersing the player in our world. Weapon edges are smooth and seamless, environmental detail is minute.

Massive selection of items

As of pre-alpha, we currently have over 30+ items in total, with plans to greatly expand this selection monthly. Concerns may arise over balance issues, but each item will have its place and value considered in order to avoid having duplicate functioning (but visually different) gear. These items include weapons, devices, grenades, and deployable items (read: items that can be selected in our planning phase)

Fully supported competitive servers based on Amazon Gamelift API

Ready or Not features a fully competitive set of gamemodes to test your mettle against other squads in PvP. However, players can still host listen servers and play with custom game rules.

Plans to support squad competitive play

Create a squad with up to ten friends for PvP and Coop. Work as small groups to reap squad rewards, and compete in yearly leader-board competitions to earn unique skins. A passive pointscore system allows players to work together to level and earn more squad points, opening up options in a mission’s planning phase.

Tactical Analysis

All missions begin with a tactical analysis and planning phase, currently allowing teams to shut off power grids, blockade entrances, create or choose new entry points, and spawn unique devices including ballistic shields, heavy rams, and telescopic ladders.

Sounds like this will be a more realistic tactical shooter and not to mention a bloody game at that with its “Visceral Gore” feature. The game has been in development since 2016 and so far, there is no announcement of when the release of the game will be. For now, we’ll have to stay tuned for further updates and more YouTube videos on the game’s progress.

The last time we heard something about the XM25 Air Burst System was that ATK Orbital was suing Heckler & Koch for US$27 million for failing to deliver to deliver 20 prototype units as part of a multi-million dollar contact last February 2017. ATK Orbital took in the German company as a subcontractor for the XM25 project over twenty years ago.

Now, in a blog post at Military.com’s Kit Up!, Matthew Cox writes that he found out last week the the U.S. has cancelled the XM25 CDTE (Counter-Defilade Target Engagement System ) project with ATK Orbital. That may mean over 20 years of research and money going down the drain.

According to his source, the contract was terminated last April 25, 2017 due to failure to deliver the 20 units that was specified in the contract, which is the same thing as the lawsuit that was filed by ATK Orbital against Heckler & Koch. Also, the contractor failed to provide an alternative solution that the Government can accept.

The XM25 is an air burst system that is designed to take out enemy combatants that are hiding behind cover. This fires 25mm grenades that are set to explode in mid-air or near the target with the operator of the weapon able to set the detonating distance which is transmitted to the grenade in the firing chamber. It is said to be effective to distance of 600 meters with a maximum range of 700 meters. If this weapon was able to achieve what it was meant to do, then it is way more effective than the M203 grenade launcher which has an effective range of 150 meters.

No one knows what the future of the XM25 will be though its fire control system is being considered for use for a launcher that shoots a 40mm air burst grenade, reports Cox in his Military.com news report, and that the U.S. Army are reassessing their requirements for such a system.

Even if the XM25 may just be buried as a real world weapon system, perhaps some airsoft manufacturer somewhere in the Far East might want to resurrect this as an airsoft gas grenade launcher. Airsoft players go for some unique airsoft systems to bring to the filed so who knows? The airsoft XM25 can be one.

Top Photo: XM25 (Photo by: Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Piper/U.S. Army Materiel Command)

It is not something for airsoft players to get excited about since there is no need for concealed carry airsoft guns, unless the role allows in an airsoft gun. But concealed carry products are always interesting to look into as people go to great lengths to ensure that their weapons are not seen in public.

In this case, a company called 5 Stone Products LLC., have developed a concealed carry holster that you they think will surely not get attention since almost everybody in the world has one --- a mobile phone. Called the Pistol Mask, it, errr… masks your pistol as it looks like a mobile phone tucked to carrier’s waist. It is  not exactly an original idea as there are some designs based on the same idea, such as the EEA Abdo Concealed Carry Holster. The Pistol Mask hides the bulk of the pistol that is tucked to the waist unlike the Abdo that looks like a very big mobile phone that is clipped to the belt.

To access the pistol, spring loaded panels snap open to allow the owner to quickly access the pistol when it is needed most with earth magnets keeping these panel closes when the pistol is not needed. The make it look not bulky which may indicate that there is a gun concealed, its tiered design and dual colours make it look thinner and allow to blend with colours popularly worn to work or outside.

It will be able to take in sub-compact pistols with a thickness of 1.05” or less, and a height of 4.6” or less and a good number of pistols can fit such as the Walther PPS, S&W M&P Shield, Glock 43 with extended mag, and the Sig Sauer P328.

With the bigger size mobile phones nowadays, the Pistol Mask may not be easily noticed, but most mobile phones nowadays are way thinner than before that a 1.05” inch “mobile phone” might look out of place that it might invite suspicion to the trained eye. But if you want one, it is available right now at the 5 Stone Products website where you can order one for US$99.00.

Well, my age is showing again as I get nostalgic reading the news about “Battlezone” now back as a virtual reality game. I was an avid arcade gamer as well as heavily into the Atari console games in the 1980s before I found airsoft later on the during that awesome decade of weird hairstyles and new wave music.

“Battlezone” in its original form was a an arcade game where you play wearing faux goggles as you command a tank to battle against other tanks and missiles. The graphics then was primitive as it used wireframe vector graphics where the most of the things you see are geometric solids to depict terrain and obstacles. It was a pseudo 3D game and with the use of the goggles of the arcade version made it the first “VR” game (the Atari console and home computer system ports such as the IBM PC and Apple II did not require the use of the faux goggles). But even with such limitations in video games during those years, “Battlezone” was an honorable mention for “Best Commercial Arcade Game: at the Third Annual Arkie Awards in 1982.

Battlezone Original (1980)

There were many clones of “Battlezone” but the original game still got released 1995, 2006, with the when Stainless Games ported the Atari game to the Microsoft Xbox 360 with new gameplay features in 2008. Of course, it had much better graphics and audio (5.1 Dolby)  but retained the core of the game which gamers (including airsoft players) are much familiar with since the introduction of CounterStrike and Team Fortress --- Death Match, Capture the Flag, and Team Deathmatch.

By 2015 Rebellion, the developer behind “Sniper Elite” did a reboot to the game creating the game for PlayStation VR which became a hit last year and now is moving the game to the PC so it can be used with the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive making it an even better VR game with the gamer a tank commander with using the top VR goggles using the Oculus technology. With the port to the PC the reviews have come in praising it to be one of the finest VR game titles.

Battlezone is available at 15% off right now at US$33.99 from the Rebellion website, Steam or the Oculus Store.

Revision Military got their Bump Helmet System designed for Special Forces operators. Called the Batlksin Caiman Head System, this is a full spectrum special forces head protection solution. In line with the Revision’s Batlskin head protection design, the Caiman Head System is also modular with various components and accessories that can be added depending on the mission.

“This new head system, built from the ground up and tailored to the feedback and specialized needs of SOF users, epitomizes Revision’s forward-thinking, holistic mindset,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO, Revision Military. Adding that, “Revision upended traditional helmet development for the Family of Tactical Headborne Systems (FTHS) project. The project management team put in untold legwork, going to great lengths to engage key SOF contacts and stakeholders directly, and absorbing unfiltered, informed feedback. This collaborative, iterative process allowed the team to eliminate guesswork and address SOF user demands in real time. Caiman is not a head system created in a vacuum; the contributions from SOF operators are undeniable.”

The Caiman Head System aims to address the SOCOM's technical challenges head for a Special Forces helmet: optimised weight, protection, and mobility indices and system component integration. The skeletonization of the various components and accessories allowed for a streamlined design and reduction of the overall weight. This helmet system is said to be optimized for coastal, riverine, maritime, high-altitude, freefall, and ground maneuvers. It is designed to withstand an extreme range of environmental conditions, whether tropic or arctic, day or night, arid desert or open ocean, and beyond.

Revision Caiman Carbon Bump Head System

According to Revision, the Caiman Head System will be available in stages. The first one is the Caiman Carbon Bump Helmet and for the second stage is a Ballistic Helmet System with a liner system, rail, and a Wilcox mount. The Carbon Bump Helmet will be commercially available in July 2017 while the Ballistic Helmet System will be rolled out later in the year and in 2018.

The Revision Batlskin Caiman Head System is on display at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) 2017, which is ongoing right now in Tampa, Florida.

Whilst many of us will think of airsoft guns as toys, unfortunately we cannot bring one to the office as it is a most realistic looking toy that might just have security initiate a building lockdown. Nerf Guns are absolute fun too, but then you are limited to how many Nert darts available. The best way to survive an office war is to be able to use the most abundant thing as ammo --- paper, and in this new offering from Paper Shooters, it uses tissue paper.

Paper Shooters are back for more crowdfunding on Kickstarter, having previously successfully raised and shipped to customers worldwide, the Paper Shooters Zombie Slayer Construction kit, and they have a new product that their fans might want to fund again: the Spitball Blasterz.

Available in two models, the Spitball Blasterz use tissue paper, making the ammo 100% biodegrable and perhaps would just annoy the office cleaning crew after you have raided the toilet for more ammo, or grab that tissue box from that cute officemate on the other end of the floor. According to Paper Shooters, these paper blasters have a range of 65 feet. Not exactly you would like if you are thinking in airsoft terms, but for an office battle, that’s already long range.

Other features of the Spitball Blasterz is the realistic cocking system and real triggers. We are no sure if it still uses the same firing mechanism seen in the Paper Shooters Construction Kit but this is a shell ejecting system so it comes with a brass catcher so you don’t have to pick the shells up after firing them. This is magazine-fed and you can shoot up to 16 rounds before you need to insert a fresh magazine.

To supply yourself with enough rounds to outlast opponents, you can buy a pack of rounds from Paper Shooters, or you can make ones yourself using the mold that comes with the package.

If the required funding is achieved, the production will be done by a China-based manufacturer that also has a facility in Vietnam. The production partner is already experienced in mass producing toys for some of the big names in the toy industry and has agreed to work with Paper Shooters.

Remember to make friends with the office cleaning crew when you get your hands on one of these Spitball Blasterz. You’d probably get an extra roll or box of tissue to give yourself an advantage you’re your officemates.

Matt Furey-King here. I'd like to announce that I'm stepping down as Chairman of UK Airsoft Players Union (UKAPU). When I returned to the role as Chairman in 2015 my intention was twofold; to get the association back on its feet, and to make sure we had player representation throughout the Policing and Crime Bill passage. My return was only ever supposed to be temporary; the committee knew my intention from the start was to stand aside on the commencement date of the new law. So here we are.

I'm pretty disappointed that the PCA is still an open subject, which we still need to push the government for clarifications in order to find out how to comply with the new law. There's some grey area which I think will one-day spell real trouble for some poor airsoft player. As much as I'm dying to help with this situation, I have to call it a day and move on. Unfortunately, other parts of my life have been suffering due to lack of attention; I've been so distracted by all this airsoft politics going in these last 2 years. My girlfriend Po Ling has been very accommodating but even her impressive patience with me is wearing thin! So it's time to get my priorities straight. The way I see it I've done my bit and to be honest other people now need to step up to the plate.

I am massively proud of the work UKAPU has done. Over the last decade many hobbies have been restricted or eroded or banned in the UK, modern society doesn't seem to have any room for people like us who like having fun in non-vanilla ways. But airsoft has not fallen, we've stood our ground, we've not been bullied and suppressed, we fought back on every level. It's really impressive, and we have a bright future if we make this unity and determination a core part of our identity as UK airsoft players.

You might be worried that UKAPU is going to disappear when I go, as most of our announcements come with my name attached. But the reason you see so much of me and not much of the rest of the committee is because I have been the association’s figurehead, actually there's half a dozen people working hard behind the scenes that you don't hear about. I have a huge amount of confidence in the remaining committee and the association. We have 4,000 members, a great reputation and a great future. Let me tell you, the committee have some fantastic plans for the next few years that will be a huge lift for airsoft.

David Weston, UKAPU Vice Chair, has taken command of UKAPU. Soon he will hold a management meeting and the committee will select a new Chairman, and it would not be appropriate for me to preempt that vote. But there are some really great guys working for UKAPU at the moment and I have every confidence in them to lead the association forward. That said, I won't be disappearing completely and will still be available to help and advise them, if they so wish. Of course I'll be an active UKAPU member and you'll all see me around at airsoft games, as normal.

All that said, UKAPU does have a high turnover of volunteers (voluntary associations tend to, people’s circumstances change and they often run out of free time to commit). The committee already has a few vacant positions and, unless they can fill positions and spread the workload, the association could go into a downward spiral. So PLEASE, if you are a self-motivated and literate airsoft player and have some free time, give them a message on Facebook and volunteer for a committee position. Now is the time.

What's next for me? Well, I'm pretty pissed off at the shambolic way the country is being run and politicians’ dreadful attitudes towards civil liberties in general, not just the liberties of airsofters. So I'm thinking bigger, I've made a step into the wider world of politics and I'm running in the upcoming Parliamentary election. I've been selected as the Green Party candidate for Kingswood in Bristol. The Green Party may seem an unusual choice for a firearms guy but I've found it to be a really inspiring movement, the Greens are very far from being the stereotypes people imagine they are. Yes, they do currently have an anti-replica policy in the manifesto but they have no commitment to it and I’m confident I can get them to change it. They didn’t know about airsoft skirmishing or the VCRA when they wrote it. They asked me to help them rewrite it many years ago but I never had the time, so it’s partially my fault. If you are interested, there's some information about me as a candidate here.

Later in the year I'm aiming to put more time into my airsoft channel, Claymore Airsoft TV. I've got some fun content planned so please give it a sub or a like if you want to see what airsoft shenanigans I'm up to.

You can also visit Claymore Airsoft TV on Facebook.

Huge thanks to all the people who have done so much to help me achieve my aims over the years, especially my fellow UKAPU committee members. I know UKAPU has a bright future ahead if all of you support the next leader of UKAPU in the same brilliant way you have supported me

Kind Regards,

Matt Furey-King
UKAPU Member

CBS Network announced 7 new shows that will start this Fall and two of these shows will be something that airsofters will look forward to. The first one is another TV drama series called “SEAL Team” and the second one is the revival of a hit series in the 1970s, “S.W.A.T.”

Not another “SEAL” series? Well, many would disagree with you as they can’t get enough of the special operations unit, and perhaps they would start comparing which produces a TV drama about the SEAL Team better, is it National Geographic with their “SIX” or will it be CBS with their “SEAL Team.”

Perhaps for those are fans of the Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.), the elite police unit, then they might look forward the release of “S.W.A.T.”, which was a hit series in the 1970s and a film adaptation in 2003.

There is a definite schedule for S.W.A.T. which premieres on November 2 while there is no announced premiere date yet for “SEAL Team.” Full description by CBS of these shows below:

Failure Is Not An Option When David Boreanaz Leads SEAL TEAM This Fall

The all-new, David Boreanaz-starring action-drama series SEAL TEAM, coming to CBS this fall, explores the world of the most elite, special-ops forces.

In this action-packed series, the fearless Navy SEALs conduct high-risk, clandestine missions against impossible odds. But when they return to the homefront, they face stress of a different nature.

Keeping secrets, deploying at a moment's notice, and the knowledge that each assignment could be their last takes a toll on these brave warriors and their families.

However, their unbreakable oath and patriotism compel them to persevere.

SEAL TEAM stars David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot, Neil Brown Jr., Jessica Paré, A.J. Buckley, and Toni Trucks.

Executive Producers include Ben Cavell, Ed Redlich, Chris Chulack, Sarah Timberman, and Carl Beverly.

Stay tuned for more updates on SEAL TEAM before it premieres this fall on Wednesdays at 9/8c on CBS and CBS All Access.

Shemar Moore Returns To CBS In The New Police Drama S.W.A.T.

Moore gears up as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, the leader of an advanced tactical unit serving his own community.

Starring as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, Shemar Moore returns to CBS in S.W.A.T., a new series inspired by the hit TV show and film of the same name.

Moore is no stranger to heroic roles given his experience as SSA Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds. His new character—a recently appointed S.W.A.T. Sergeant—will have to unify a team of fearless agents.

Harrelson will face tough decisions as he straddles allegiances between the streets where he was raised and the specialized tactical unit he now leads. He must reconcile the world he came from—where cops are sometimes the enemy—with that of a brotherhood willing to risk their own lives to save others. As the last line in law enforcement, these unflinching men and women are prepared for the worst imaginable crisis.

Moore is joined by Stephanie Sigman as Jessica Cortez, Alex Russell as Jim Street, Jay Harrington as David "Deacon" Kay, Lina Esco as Christina "Chris" Alonso, Kenny Johnson as Dominique Luca, and Peter Onorati as Mumford.

Behind the cameras, S.W.A.T. will be led by Executive Producers Aaron Thomas, Shawn Ryan, Justin Lin, Neal Moritz, Marney Hochman, Danielle Woodrow, and Pavun Shetty.

Stay tuned for more updates on S.W.A.T. before it premieres on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10/9c on CBS and CBS All Access.

In a time where almost everything is digital and all you need is a smartphone to access almost anything you need to read, the last thing you would probably think of is buying a print magazine.

Don't get me wrong, printed materials such as books, newspapers and magazines are cool but you can now get most, if not all of those on your smart phone. Unless you’re one of those book fanatics who we see squashed in a corner of a London Underground train reading.

Well, personally I don't like books unless I absolutely need to read one. Newspapers are great for what they are, reading the news then they go straight to the bin. The only newspaper that I saved is the one that had my name on the list of nurses who passed the nursing board exam in the Philippines back in the year 1994!

Now magazines are a different breed, they can be very interesting depending on the specialty they cover. I have collected and kept different kinds of magazines over the years including collectors’ comic books, tattoo magazines and obviously, Airsoft magazines. But one thing I hate about them is their size and how easily they get ruined.

I met Javier del Castillo during my recent trip to Nuremberg during the 2017 IWA Outdoor Classics. We were talking about the stuff that we do and he mentioned about their publication, 0'20 Magazine. He said that he will give me a copy of the next issue and wants to know what I think about it.

He also said that the magazine is FREE! Not just for me... it's free for everyone. It won’t cost a penny!

Okayyyyyy... In my experience, FREE comes with its own price. So I started thinking that it is full of advertising; I bet it has little content worth reading and I bet it looks rubbish.

The next day, Javier handed me a copy of their issue number 9 and honestly, I was surprised. Firstly, the magazine is small, like pocketbook size small. Secondly, since it in a smaller magazine format (apologie, I'm not well-versed in print magazine size formats), the paper appears to become more rigid therefore holding its form. Okay, you’re probably wondering why the hell am I paying so much attention to this and not just get into its contents. Well... being small and able to hold its form means that I do not have to worry about it getting ruined inside my backpack after a whole day of interviews and photo taking. I actually had it in pristine condition when I got back to our hotel at the end of the day.

When I had a quick break I started flicking through the pages quickly. I turned the cover and was immediately greeted by a double page spread advert. The next page was the editorial so I said ok. But next to it was another advert. Flicked to the next page and guess what.... another double page spread advert. Then there was a set of table of contents and an advert on the adjacent page then another double spread advert. Hmmmm… I was thinking this is not starting well. I mean, I understand that they need to get some revenues out of it especially it being distributed for free it is understandable that they will have quite a bit off advertising but I need something to read.

Then I finally got to page 10 where the first article is and it is about a team who use the Green Beret loadout. It was a good read as it was an interview with the team. Then I came across the first Airsoft rifle review. After that, the next article was about how to survive an Airsoft game. Then the second Airsoft rifle review article.

Well.... all in all, this tiny magazine has close to 100 pages, 11 articles of which 5 are Airsoft replica reviews. I am impressed, not just with the write ups but also with the quality of the photos.

But, I told myself, maybe Javier gave me the good issue. I'll wait and see if he sends me the next one and I'll give my verdict from there.

After a few weeks back in good old Blighty, I received a parcel and it’s the issue number 11 of the 0'20 magazine.

This ssue has the same impressive clean layout as the first one I had. The layout is the same with the first article being a Team interview. Then it rolls on the review articles and write ups with advertising in between articles. The photo quality is again very clean and well thought off. This issue actually has a 6 Airsoft RIF reviews in it.

So what can I say?

Print magazines may be seen by many as a thing of the past but they do hold their own against digital versions if done properly.

0'20 magazine is one of those magazines that you would know when you read it that the people behind it have given a lot of time and effort to make the magazine stand out against their paid counterparts. I didn't expect much from this magazine especially when Javier told me it's a free magazine. But I was soooooo wrong and the magazine completely gained my respect with how it's laid out and how much it contains.

I always advise newbies to do their research when they get into the hobby. Airsoft is not cheap and new comers need as much help and advice as they need to help them choose which gear they will spend their hard earned money on. And this magazine is one of the good example for this.

Bad bits:

• Adverts - I can forgive 0'20 for this as it is a free magazine
• Very small print - I don't normally wear reading glasses but I had to when reading this

Good bits:

• Pocket size - no problem taking it anywhere
• Tons of photos with very high quality
• Good articles with a good number of in depth reviews of Airsoft replicas and  tactical gears
• Available in 4 languages - English, Spanish, French, and Chinese
• And the best bit.... it's FREE!

So if you are interested in getting the latest issue of the 0'20 magazine, check out online where you can get them in your area. The magazine issues are released every 2 months and it is also available in digital format.

Many thanks to Javier of 0'20 magazine for sending me these copies.