Remember ZEV Technologies in airsoft? For those who have been in airsoft for some time now, they can recall that ZEV Technologies is about the SOCOM Gear ZEV Tech Trilobite Cut Slide for Gas Blowback Pistols. In particular, this was installed on the Echo1 US Airsoft ZEV Custom Timberwolf GBB Pistol.

ZEV Technologies merged with Mega Arms in early 2017 and by the late September 2017, PTS Syndicate announce that they have bagged the license to produce ZEV Tech products for the airsoft market. PTS Syndicate also has a licensing agreement for the Mega Arms, releasing the MKM and MML Maten Gas Blowback Rifles. But so far, there is no product released by PTS Syndicate under the ZEV  Tech brand.

If ever PTS Syndicate would want to produce another GBB rifle, then our suggestion is the ZEV Technologies Small Frame that uses the 6.5 Creedmor that was just recently announced.

With .308-style airsoft rifles being released by competitors, PTS Syndicate might just want to have a 6.5 Creedmor-style rifles produced, given that the 6.5 has advantages over the .308 for distance shooting. The ZEV Tech 6.5 Creedmor Small Frame has a long range capability and firepower like a large frame caliber at a smaller size. This makes it ideal for hunting and precision shooting rifle shooters.

Here are the technical specifications of the rifle:

• ZEV Billet Upper and Lower receivers are machined from 7075-T651 aluminum and finished in type III class 2 hard coat anodize
• ZEV extended length M-LOK free floating hand guard installs directly to the integrated rail base on the upper receiver which enhances rigidity while giving the rifle a unique and streamlined profile
• ZEV Slide Lock charging handle permits ambidextrous manipulation with an extended and textured latch for superior grip and ergonomics
• ZEV exclusive sniper gray flat face AR Gold trigger from ATC features a 2.5lb pull with a short reset and clean break
• Custom 20" 6.5 Creedmoor fluted 416R stainless steel sub-MOA match grade heavy barrel manufactured for ZEV by Noveske Rifleworks
• Custom tuned gas and buffer system for smooth cycling, consistent ejection, and low recoil
• Muzzle break from SureFire for additional recoil reduction to keep the rifle on target through recoil and aid in making follow up shots
• Ambidextrous operating controls and Magpul furniture further enhance the user experience. Includes one 20 round PMAG
• Overall length of 38.75" with stock collapsed
• Unloaded weight of 8.7 lbs

This is now available at authorized retailers. As for the airsoft version, hope that PTS Syndicate might just produce one if they are reading this.

Perhaps the next generation rifle for the U.S. Army may just trace its origins to a garage located in Colorado Springs. According to media reports, the U.S. Army has ordered a prototype version of the FDM L5 Caseless Rifle.

The garage-based company, Forward Defense Munitions (FDM) is owned by Martin Grier and he may just be in the cusp of producing the future rifle for the U.S. Army. The FDM L5 Caseless Rifle allows the soldier to five rounds at once using an electric actuator firing system. The five vertically stacked bores are encased in a single block of steel to keep them together.

It is even lighter than the M4 rifle, as it weighs 6.5lbs, compared to the M4 which weighs 7lbs.  Since it does not use a traditional system of using heavy bolt carrier group to cycle and instead uses an electronic firing system, it is lighter than the M4. According to Popular Mechanics, the FDM L5 fires 6mm rounds which is the round that the U.S. Army is looking into to have a better penetration power as compared to the 5.56mm.

Theoretically, the FDM L5 can shoot 250 rounds per second, which means a lot of firepower that whoever is at the receiving end may just wish he/she is somewhere else.

Here is how the company describes their new firearm technology:

The L5 is the world's first functional 5-bore, single barrel rifle.

The L5's Electromagnetic / Transverse Camshaft action is efficient, safe, and reliable. The battery-powered action can fire upwards of 15,000 shots per battery charge.

Complete with picatinny rails, the L5 can be easily accessorized with standard, commercially-available gear.

FDM's charge block ammo comes pre-loaded straight from the factory, which obviates the need to load individual rounds, saving vast amounts of time by passing that duty on to the manufacturer. This profoundly increases the effective sustained rate of fire for forces wielding the L5.

To prevent overheating, each block is ejected after use, along with any heat that would otherwise be held in a chamber. The blocks are precisely guided into position, moving only 1/2-inch, minimizing the probability of jamming. 

The L5 Rifle, coupled with charge block ammunition, represents an entirely new firearm class and addresses the prevalent and dangerous problems of reloading, overheating and jamming, which are inherent to the design of currently deployed firearms.

If the FDM L5 gets the nod for more testing, the U.S. Army soldiers might bring some serious power in a serious package. Just imagine a squad having the firepower of a platoon. It can be a game change in the battlefield.

The reliable but rather old Heckler & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun, beloved by counter-terrorist units and police officers around the world will soon be replaced in Finland. According to news sources, the Poliisi or the Police of Finland, the MP5 will be replaced with an SMG that many airsoft players are familiar with nowadays, the CZ Scorpion EVO which is made in the Czech Republic/Czechia.

Finnish news agency STT announced that around police officers around the country will soon be receiving a new SMG with terrorism being a primary reason why the need to upgrade their weapons. In August 2018, the police arrested a man of Moroccan descent who is suspected of murder and attempted murder with terrorist intent. The attack left two people dead and eight injured. Suspect is said to have his application for asylum denied by Finnish authorities.

The new SMG will be introduced as soon as the supply contracts expire. According to Yle, the Scorpion Evo is easier to use for sustained firing.
Police Inspector Ari Alanen, a member of the National Police Board said, "The technical features are a bit different, so setting up for automatic fire is a little easier."

More firepower is needed by the police to counter growing terrorist threat and that with the new SMG, they can use more precision as it is shouldered weapon as compared to using a pistol according to Timo Lappalainen, a firearms expert in the same Yle report.

New weapons platforms can be easily configured to meet mission requirements as compared to the older weapons such as the MP5. That can done with the Scorpion Evo with its use of rail systems and police can easily familiarize themselves with it as the operations is just a bit different from the MP5 and both use the same 9mm round.

In airsoft, the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1 is licensed to the Action Sport Games (ASG) of Denmark.  It is first released in AEG form, it is a much well-received airsoft gun and a custom HPA-powered version developed in cooperation with Wolverine Airsoft also available.

Top photo: Lapland Police in LAPPI 118 local defence exercise (Source: Lapin Poliisi Instagram)

Last week, Springfield Armory unveiled the XD(M) 4.5” Match OSP Pistol that comes with standard and threaded barrels.  This week, they add another member to the XD(M) , a more powerful XD(M)-10, a new pistol that uses the 10mm round.

While the 10mm sounds like a very young round, in a way, it is as it was designed and produced since 1983 when it was initially made for the Bren Ten, a precursor to the CZ 75 pistol.The Bren Ten was made popular by the Miami Vice TV series in the 1980s in which it was a signature weapon of Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson) during the first season of the series.

With the XD(M) 10mm, Springfield Armory brings a powerful and accurate pistol that the company claims to be even more durable. In a firing test that with each round fired documented on video, it fired 10,000 rounds of Federal Premium Hydra-Shok 10mm ammunition without any failures.

“Our customers have been very vocal about their excitement at the prospect of an XD(M) chambered in 10mm,” said Springfield Armory President Steve McKelvain in a press release.  “We are thrilled to now offer them exactly what many of them have been asking for: the power and velocity of the 10mm round delivered in the reliability of the XD(M) platform, proven through a 10,000 round torture test documented on video.”

Just like the rest of the XD(M) models, the 10mm also features a polymer frame, three interchangeable backstraps, accessory rail, and an ergonomic grip. Two versions are available:  a 4.5" or 5.25" barrel, which are well-balanced when combined with the full-size grip frame for maximum controllability and comfort while shooting.

According to the company, the 4.5" model has a low-profile combat rear sight that is paired with a fiber optic front sight; and the 5.25" version features a fully adjustable target rear sight with a fiber optic front. As for the magazine, it holds 15 rounds giving the shooter a total of 15+1 rounds ready to be fired.

The slide is finished in Melonite just like the barrel, which is hammer-forged. It has forward and rear cocking serrations, with the magazine release being ambidextrous. As for the safety features, it has a loaded chamber indicator, grip safety, and a strike status indicator.

Both models are now available for purchase. Customers in the U.S. who purchase any XD model from the Springfield Armory lineup qualify to receive three additional magazines and a Springfield Armory range bag. They will also also have an exclusive offer to upgrade their Gear Up package to include a Surefire 6PX Flashlight, Kershaw Knife and Carabiner for only US$99. This offer is good up to December 21, 2018.

If you want watch and listen to stories of men who belong to a group admired for extraordinary feats of courage, then better subscribe to Netflix if you do not have an account yet. On November 9, 2018 the first episode of season 1 of “Medal of Honor” documentary series will be streamed online to whatever device that you use to watch Netflix.

The docuseries is the result of collaboration between Robert Zemeckis known for directing “Forrest Gump” and James Moll, the award-winning documentarian between the “Last Days”. “Medal of Honor” features 8 men who received the highest and most prestigious military honor of the USA in a 8-episode season.

The Medal of Honor award was created by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and was first awarded in 1863.  Since then around 3,500 men and women from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard have received this honor. It is also known as the Congressional Medal of Honor as its in presented in the name of the U.S. Congress.

In each episode, the brothers-in-arms and family of the MOH recipients talk about the bravery and extraordinary odds they faced. Archival footage and reenactment of the action that are combined to give fully impart the story of the men whose stories should be told on for generations.

Here is the list of the Medal of Honor recipients whose stories will be told on the first season:

• Sylvester Antolak (World War II)
• Vito Bertoldo (World War II)
• Edward Carter (World War II)
• Ty M. Carter (Afghanistan)
• Richard L. Etchberger (Vietnam)
• Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura (The Korean War)
• Clint Romesha (Afghanistan)
• Joseph Vittori (The Korean War)

Surely, these stories are some of those that will make you proud of the servicemen and women who make sacrifice for the freedom you enjoy.

It will be Weapons 101 galore on Fridays 10pm, starting November 2, 2018 as Discovery Channel’s “Master of Arms” weapons making competition will finally air. Ordered last April and produced by Matador Content, the show will give us a look on how weapons makers do their craft.

Each episode in this show will have three builders compete with each other in historical challenges in which they will have to create era-specific weapons. This will range from Viking swords to firearms.

They will have to recreate the weapons in a specified time frame and these are not just weapons that are made to how the weapons master envisions it to be. These weapons should be well researched and made as works of art.

The weapons which can either be ballstic, bow or blade weapons will be tested rigorously and will be judged according to design, historical accuracy, and abilities.  One weapons smith will be eliminated after each challenge and the last remaining weapons smith will be awarded US$10,000 and the title of “Master of Arms” for that episode.

In a press release, Discovery reveals that the weapons will be tested by a U.S. Army veteran and will be judged by a panel of judges:

Ashley Hlebinsky, one of the leading firearms historians in the country. Ashley has dedicated her life and career to the study of weaponry. She is currently the Chief Curator of one of the largest firearms collections in the country, the Cody Firearms Museum, in Wyoming.    

Nicholas Irving, a former Sergeant within the Special Operations unit, 75th Ranger Regiment 3rd Ranger battalion, served as an assaulter, machine gunner, designated marksman and sniper. He is also The New York Times bestselling author of The Reaper, Way of the Reaper and Reaper: Ghost Target.

Zeke Stout, a certified firearms specialist. He has served as an executive at one of the largest firearms, technology, and gunsmithing schools in the country. In that role, he was certified as a higher education professional in leadership, an Armorer in several platforms, including the 1911 and Penn arms grenade launcher. 

Trenton Tye, a professional blacksmith with over 20 years’ experience. His specialties include casting, gunsmithing, knife making, and ancient arms and armor.

The competition should be educational as well as it also gives us an insight on how weapons were made as based on the techniques that were used in those periods. While many of us in the airsoft community are more particularly concerned about firearms, especially contemporary ones, it is also a good thing to have an understanding of blade and bow weapons which are still very much valid weapons to use firearms are made useless due to mechanical failure or running out of bullets.

There’s one man who tried shooting at the Navy SEALs singlehandedly and who is going to live to tell the tale --- in jail. Last week, a California man pleaded guilty to shooting at trainee Navy SEALs and instrsuctors with a pellet gun, a day before his trial to start.

The suspect, 48 year old Scott Weaver of San Diego, California, confronted with a pellet gun the Navy SEAL instructors and trainees who were conducting a night time qualification dive near the Road bridge at Liberty Station last 23 July 2018. He then started shooting at the trainees who were diving leading to the group to call the San Diego Police.

Weaver was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a replica firearm, threats, and obstruction. The assault with a deadly weapon was dismissed at a previous hearing but still, Weaver faces a year in jail when he will be sentenced on the 1st of November according to Fox News.

No one in the training group was injured.

Photo:U.S. Navy Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) (BUD/S) trainees linking arms  (Photo by: JOCS Lee Coleman)

A Navy spokesperson confirmed that the unit were doing training San Diego Bay. The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (NWSC) was established in 1987 at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego, California. The SEAL training school, the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) is also there and this where future SEALs train in the Silver Strand surf and other areas in San Diego.

As to what threats that Weaver said to the group, it was not revealed, the Police do not know if the suspect had a motive for shooting at the Navy SEALs or if he knows who he was shooting at . The replica firearm, whilst it is a pellet gun was clarified if it is a BB pellet gun or a plastic BB airsoft gun. Nevertheless, using a replica firearm to threaten people, will always carry a punishment.

Thanks to Airsoft Fury for this story.

Top Photo:U.S. Navy Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) (BUD/S) Trainees (Photo by: JOCS Lee Coleman)

The ongoing program to replace the G36 rifle of the Bundeswehr (German Military) has suffered a setback.  In a report in Die Welt, that none of the proposed replacements have met fulfilled the “individual mandatory requirements” after seven months of comparative tests. This was revealed in a confidential letter from the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Federal Armed Forces (BAAINBw) to the Ministry of Defense.

It was announced by the German Ministry of Defence in 2015 that the G36, made by Heckler & Koch, would be phased out. The decision was made when the G36 was found to be overheating that resulted to reduced accuracy after prolonged use in hot weather.

Whilst there was no mention of the guns involved in the testing, as the Defence Ministry keeps the names of the companies involved in the bidding, earlier reports indicate that there are two remaining contenders as the G36 replacement: the Heckler & Koch HK433 and the Haenel MK556. Other contenders that were pulled out earlier were the FNH SCAR-L, SIG Sauer MCX, and the Rheinmetall - Steyr Mannlicher RS556.

The companies have been given a deadline of 15 February 2019 to remedy the deficiencies and they will be checked again, leading to further delays.

Auditors also indicate that the weapons manufacturers were proposing 5.56mm rifles when there are other units in the Bundeswehr that are requesting for a 7.62mm weapon.

Photo:German soldiers in OMLT exercise in Hohenfels, Germany, May 2012 (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Ian Schell)

The auditors have been told by the Procurement Office that they will write to the Ministry “to conduct separate investigations to verify penetration performance” to rectify the issues. From there the results will be evaluated by the Bundeswehr’s planning office. If the evaluation comes out negative, then the award procedure would be cancelled which then would result into the Bundeswehr waiting for years for a new service rifle.

It is seen that for the new service rifle, the tender will be for 120,000 units for the price of 250 million euros which could increase to 400 million euros if the required accessories is included as well. The final price will be negotiated only after a decision to award has been made.

For now, whilst there is no replacement in sight and until there is a new service rifle, the operational capability of the G36 was fully guaranteed according to the Defence ministry.

Top photo: German soldier in Operation Sharp Griffin, May 2016 in Kosovo (U.S. Army photo by: Staff Sgt. Thomas Duval, Multinational Battle Group-East Public Affairs)

Don’t look at us. We are pretty sure here at Popular Airsoft that we can carry beer bottles than carrying weights, so we are not in the best position to answer this question. But if you have been looking for a fitness regimen that you think is appropriate for meeting the challenges of Milsim, then you might want to keep a copy of the U.S. Army’s new fitness test so you can try it out and find out if you are as fit as the Army soldiers.

Approved earlier this year, the new Fitness Test and all soldiers, regardless of gender and age will need to take the test by October 2020. This test will which 6 events are as follows:

Strength deadlift: With a proposed weight range of 120 to 420 pounds, the deadlift event is similar to the one found in the Occupational Physical Assessment Test, or OPAT, which is given to new recruits to assess lower-body strength before they are placed into a best-fit career field. The ACFT will require Soldiers to perform a three-repetition maximum deadlift (only one in OPAT) and the weights will be increased. The event replicates picking up ammunition boxes, a wounded battle buddy, supplies or other heavy equipment.

 Standing power throw: Soldiers toss a 10-pound ball backward as far as possible to test muscular explosive power that may be needed to lift themselves or a fellow Soldier up over an obstacle or to move rapidly across uneven terrain. 

Hand-release pushups: In this event, Soldiers start in the prone position and do a traditional pushup, but when at the down position they release their hands and arms from contact with the ground and then reset to do another pushup. This allows for additional upper body muscles to be exercised. 

Sprint/drag/carry: As they dash 25 meters five times up and down a lane, Soldiers will perform sprints, drag a sled weighing 90 pounds, and then hand-carry two 40-pound kettlebell weights. This can simulate pulling a battle buddy out of harm's way, moving quickly to take cover, or carrying ammunition to a fighting position or vehicle. 

Leg tuck: Similar to a pullup, Soldiers lift their legs up and down to touch their knees/thighs to their elbows as many times as they can. This exercise strengthens the core muscles since it doubles the amount of force required compared to a traditional situp. 

2-mile run: Same event as on the current test. In the ACFT, run scores are expected to be a bit slower due to all of the other strenuous activity.

The U.S. United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) finally released the Fitness Training Guide to help the soldiers prepare in passing the Fitness Test. This guide states that these specific exercises will help develop strength, endurance, and mobility using common strength training methods and Army doctrine.

You can download the PDF file below for you to follow as it has been released for civilian reading too. You and airsoft team mates can go over the requirements in order for you to be able to conduct the exercises properly. Good luck in passing the test!

Top photo:A U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command senior leader participates in the strength deadlift at an exhibition of the new Army Combat Fitness Test at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Aug. 1, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristan Biese)

It looks like another hit for Activision and Treyarch as the latest Call of Duty title, Black Ops 4, hit the half a billion dollar mark on its opening weekend. According to is press release, the  combined number of Black Ops 4 players across its three modes of play during the opening weekend beats last year’s Call of Duty: WWII, as well as Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 for the same period of time. This covers the single player, multiplayer and zombies. But of course, there is the Black Out Battle Royale Mode that is introduced for the first time in a Call of Duty game.

In the press release, Rob Kostich, EVP and GM, Call of Duty, said, “Black Ops 4 is off to a blockbuster start. Our player counts and hours played are up year over year, our viewership on Twitch has set new standards and is showing just how fun Blackout is to play and to watch, and the weekend results yet again put Call of Duty at that highest tier of entertainment.”

He further added that “Our digital sales results have been record-breaking across all platforms, and the overall performance strong. We’re really excited about Black Ops 4’s momentum. There’s much more to come, we’re just getting started.”

Also, the press release revealed that Black Ops 4 is the most watched Call of Duty game in franchise history. The viewership numbers were crunched based on stats from the Twitch streaming network using the launch weekend as the timeline.

The numbers do look impressive, but will Black Ops 4 stem the tide of decreasing sales for one the biggest video game franchise? If you compare it to Call of Duty previous releases, the opening weekend sales figures of Black Ops 4 pales in comparison to Black Ops 2 in 2012 hit the same mark in 24 hours and the 1 billion mark in 15 days. Modern Warfare 3 released in 2011 is the highest grossing title in the series, grabbing a total of US$1.23 billion in sales.

You can check here to see the sales statistics of each Call of Duty title before Black Ops 4. You will notice the Modern Warfare 3 is the peak and sales has been declining since then. When compared to movie blockbusters, the Call of Duty franchise is still a superior money machine.

The Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC, in a press release, believe the introduction of exoskeleton is powerful step toward the future of soldier lethality.  As such, it has been working with Lockheed Martin Space and Missile (LMCO) to further develop  the human augmentation system prototype (read: exoskeleton).

Called “ONYX”, it is a powered, knee-based, mobility enhancing device that is seen to have a potential at keeping soldiers in to stay in peak performance whilst in contact, with equal or enhanced warfighting power. Indeed, with increased loads it means increased stress on soldiers who are in a mission which can slow them down or reduce their performance. Having a human augmentation system, they can carry their loads faster and for longer distances without causing injuries to their bodies caused by heavier loads.

In the development of the exoskeleton, the Natick is focusing initially on the Army Close Combat Forces, using information from combat operations, focus groups, reports, and table top exercises as said in the press release:

Understanding that 90 percent of casualties since WWII are from the Close Combat Force, the Army Chief of Staff has directed that one of his strategic focus areas emphasizes improving the lethality, maneuverability, mobility and survivability of the Army's most valuable asset -- the individual combatant. The Army seeks to cover more ground with fewer forces through strategic systems that integrate innovative technological concepts such as exoskeletons, other worn advanced capabilities, and tactics.

The Onyx will be tested in December and according to Army Times, it will be the 10th Mountain Division which will include a 6-month “development effort” first phase to test and adjust the Onyx to ensure it will fit and be comfortable to use for the soldiers to use. The second phase, which is set to take place inn 2019 will be to add faster and quieter actuators.

The third phase will be the ruggedized operations of the Onyx before the U.S. Army decides if it actually gets fielded. It is seen that if it does get approval, it can be ready for field use as early as 2021.

Other technologies that result into the research of the exoskeleton may just be used for the upper body support and the TALOS suit for the Special Operations Command.

As the days get colder and the nights get longer, pretty soon it will be pretty hard to stay warm on the airsoft field. Surely we do get layers of clothing that we can put on or shed later depending on your body temperature, but what if we get a shirt that gives us the temperature we need depending on our activity. Well, there is this project that if it gets the funding it needs and its makers deliver as they promise, then perhaps it’s the shirt that we might want to include in our cold weather gear list.

Called The Flare, it is right now on Kickstarter working on the crowdfunding crowd to pledge funds to bring it to reality. Made by Blanc, a company founded by brothers Greg and Chris Livingston and named after the highest peak mountain in the Alps though they’re from the Rocky Mountains.

The Flare is made of a patented and lightweight carbon fibre heating technology which is laid out throughout the whole of the shirt. It heats up quickly and lasts a long time since it is carbon fibre, a materials used in many areas even the Formula 1 cars. 

To heat up the heating technology, it needs a power source. It comes with a 6000mah powerbank which is store in a side pocket. Apart from being the power source to heat up the shirt, it can also be used to charge mobile device. You can also use your own powerbank, but the higher capacity your powerbank is, the heavier your load, so you might want to store it somewhere say the pockets of your trousers or a pouch you can clip to your belt.

To start warming up, there is a button at the bottom of the shirt which you can use to switch between settings: low, medium and high, depending on your need for heat. You can get a maximum of two hours of heat on high, 3.5 hours on medium, and 5 hours on low with the battery pack that is included in the package. A higher capacity powerbank should give you longer warm times.

The Flare is unisex and is going to be available in different sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large. It is machine washable, just do not forget to remove the powerbank first before tossing into the washing machine. The shirt material is made of quick dry polyester on the outside and with a super soft quick dry fabric on the inside to wick moisture away.

The required funding on Kickstarter has already been achieved  but they are still accepting pledges with over a month to go. The least funding pledge is the Early Bird which gets you The Flare, powerbank, charger and cable for US$129 whilst the Falre Original gets use shirt, powerbank, charger, and cable at US$149.00

Do not expect yet to wear The Flare this winter season as the schedule, if all goes well, the first deliveries will be in March 2019.

The sniper role in airsoft is a very personalised role as it demands extra patience not only in waiting for the right moment to take a shot so as not to break your cover but also patience in dealing with players who do not take a hit from a single BB strike.

We can say that airsoft snipers are indeed a breed of their own, mostly consisting of veteran players who have moved on from the run and shoot style of play to this more precise shooting role. With this in mind, a player who is taking the sniper role seriously deserves a rifle that will not fail him in his objective. There are a few out-of-the-box airsoft sniper rifles that are considered pre-upgraded but most, if not all, airsoft snipers prefer to personalise their rifles to suit their sniping needs.

ROE Airsoft are now offering custom built airsoft sniper rifles. Players can order the base rifle available in shop and then get it upgraded to suit your preference.

I have recently ordered a custom built Tokyo Marui VSR10 G-Spec rifle complete with external accessories, complete internal upgrade and a custom paint job. The rifle was shooting close to 100 metres using 0.40gm BBs and around 470-480fps.

But before an upgrade is done, you will have to call and visit the ROE shop and ask for Luke. When a custom sniper is done, it will be made to your specifications so it is best to have a discussion with Luke to talk about what your requirements are and the budget that you have. Usually, your wishlist may not exactly meet your budget, so better prepare to shell out more if you really want or scale down a bit in your expectations.

Once you have agreed on the custom work, then the job starts. Again, depending on the internal and external customisation that you will be expecting, the custom work can be done faster if all the parts and accessories are available in store. But there might be parts that you need that will have to be ordered if they are not available, so some patience is needed in order to get the custom airsoft sniper rifle that you want.

So ready to have your custom airsoft sniper rifle done? You can find ROE Airsoft along Benfleet Road, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 1QB (United Kingdom). All upgrades and repairs are done in store so you will have visit them.

The Call of Duty Endowment, a charity organisation that was founded in 2009 by Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick to help place veterans in high quality careers, announce the release of the Call of Duty Black Ops 4 C.O.D.E Salute Pack by Activision and Treyarch. This pack which costs US$4.99 includes a special Call of Duty Endowment in-game tag, sticker, gesture, calling card, and emblem.

All the proceeds will go directly to the Call of Duty Endowment’s mission to help veterans in the U.S. and U.K. secure good careers after serving in the military.

In a press release, Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director of the Call of Duty Endowment said that, “Through in-game purchases like the Salute Pack, gamers have contributed millions towards our mission of helping veterans transition from military to civilian life and aiding veterans in finding meaningful employment. We are proud and thankful to be partnering with Treyarch on this new pack alongside the highly anticipated release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.”

Treyarch Co-Studio Head Dan Bunting added, “The Call of Duty Endowment has done some truly amazing work, making a real difference in the lives of veterans. It’s an honor to be a part of such a great cause.”

The Salute Pack is available now in the in-game store and the Sony, Microsoft, and Battle.net online stores.

The Call of Duty Endowment has met its 50,000 target ahead of schedule. According to the organisation it has found opportunities for veterans in the U.S. and U.K. in companies such as Amazon, Apple, Bank of America, Deloitte, Delta, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Nike, and SpaceX. The list is really impressive given that these are some of the most known brands and companies in the world.

In meeting such a pledge, the Endowment is doubling down on its commitment of the target of 100,000 by 2024.

The veterans that are placed in these jobs are vetted in cooperation with high performing veteran employment organisations through its prestigious Seal of Distinction program in partnership with Deloitte.

So far, the Endowment has awarded more than US$28 million in grants to Seal of Distinction recipients, with Activision Blizzard donating over US$31 million since it was established in 2009 at an average cost-per-placement of $505. Apart from providing funding, the Endowment partners with its grantees to provide advice and support aimed at helping them improve their operations.

What is it with Tokyo Marui and zombies? First, they cooperate with CAPCOM for the Resident Evil/Biohazard series that involve zombies. Now, they are with SEGA for the promotion of the House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn arcade game which involves shooting, you guessed it right, zombies!

Well, we’re approaching Halloween, so might as well get into the spirit. Tokyo Marui and SEGA will be promoting the release of the House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn, the latest in the House of Dead game series which initially started as an arcade game in 1996.We fondly remember the release of this game, which allows the player to use a light gun to shoot zombies, though it was not the first to use such shooting game tech which actually traces its roots in 1936 with the Seeburg Ray-O-Lite. Apart from the light gun, players can use controllers of game consoles.

For the main of House of the Dead series, there have been seven titles released with 9 spin-offs. The main story, which is recurring in the main series, is about a pair of agents who go up against bioengineered zombies. The game is divided into chapters as the player progresses through the game with the final chapter being a showdown with big boss.

Scarlet Dawn takes place three years The House of the Dead 4. For this game, Kate Green joins forces with Ryan Taylor who is the brother of her late partner, James Taylor as they go on a undercover mission as they go to a dinner event at Scarecrow’s Mansion. The mysterious manager unleashes his army of the undead upon the dinner guests, and that means a lot of targets for players to shoot.

Deca of Tokyo Marui explains the game, which was released last 13 September in the video below:

As to how the arcade game the Deca played in, here is a full description from SEGA Arcade:

Horror has never looked or felt this real! House of the Dead returns in this special edition super deluxe cabinet so players can experience terror like never before.

Cutting-edge ‘Unreal Engine 4’ game graphics technology on powerful dedicated hardware brings all the zombies, characters and environment to life in incredible detail and quality. The game-changing controller is lightweight and uses unique vibration technology to produce a realistic recoil feeling.
Players will enjoy the five-dimensional full body experience thanks to immersive internal cabinet features. 5.1 channel surround sound with sub-woofer, high spec bass shaker, air canon and spot LED lights, all work together to produce a captivating, tense horror feeling that thrills players.

The zombie Horror-themed cabinet is unique with 3D molding gives a sense of zombies trying to escape the cabinet. Interactive features and colour changing lights accentuate the zombie shadows resulting in a chilling look that is impressive and attracts visitors in any location.

There is not much details yet regarding the promo. Tokyo Marui announced at their event page that, “ As a tie-up plan, we are planning various promotional cooperation with CAPCOM, such as a new HOD experience video of the game with Deca for publicity, and a parody advertisement for those familiar with the company’s Twitter account (@ TM_Airsoft).”

There is no mention if there is an airsoft gun designed for this collaboration.

The promo with SEGA will be mainly in Japan, so for airsoft players wanting to be at the locations where the promo will be, they will have to update themselves via the Tokyo Marui website and Twitter account.

Here is a full walkthrough of the HOD Scarlet Dawn:

Come on raise your hand! We know you like it since we like it too and find it to be fabulous. Others may find it outrageous but that’s the way Treyarch makes gun skins for the Call of Duty series.  The Call of Duty Black Ops 4 Tactical Unicorn Gun is one of a kind, and if you have the new COD title installed in your PC or in your console, then you will have to work had for it.

The Tactical Unicorn Gun (sorry Unicorn Leah, but this one gun is after your title) is one of the few Mastercraft weapons. These are unique and are built upon Signature weapons which are cosmetic versions of already existing weapons. For the Tactical Unicorn, there is only one way to get it and it will take time, so it will take a lot of your patience too.

For starters, you need to the GKS Signature weapon which you will have to work your way deep into the Black Market to acquire. That means that you will have to do a lot of work (read: battles) just to unlock it. Upon unlocking the GKS Signature weapon, another step has to be taken, which is to unlock the Mastercraft version of it.  That means a lot more of in-game shooting to do in Black Ops 4.

Here’s a video of Hollow showing you how the Tactical Unicorn:

Now the question is, would you want an airsoft version of the Tactical Unicorn Gun? The pink colored guns from G&G (Femme Fatale) and Tokyo Marui (P90 Ver.Llenn) got some good reception and we guys who we thought would shun such colorful guns rushing through the field firing these with much enthusiasm. So a more multi-colored gun such as the Tactical Unicorn should do no harm on an male airsoft player’s masculinity.

Will some airsoft manufacturer make this now? Please?

The next big airsoft trade exhibition that we are looking forward to and that will close the 2018 season is the Military, Outdoor & Airsoft Exhibition (MOA Exhibition) being organised by QRF Magazine. Now on its second year, this exhibition features companies from many parts of East Asia such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Thailand. Whilst, this may be the last in airsoft trade fares for the year, this event also gives us a glimpse of what airsoft players can expect for 2019.

We were at the inaugural event of the MOA Exhibition last year which was held at the Hsinchuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, this year, it is moving to an even grander venue --- the  Taipei World Trade Center that is right beside the world famous Taipei 101 which before was the tallest building in the world. With this bigger venue, QRF Magazine says that it is able to accommodate 200 stalls.

Last year, there were 80 exhibitors and over 100 brands that were present and the organisers are expecting more this year. Below is the list of exhibitors for this year:

It was a good experience to be at this exhibition, though we recommend to the organisers to work harder on getting more exhibitors from outside the region. But for airsoft businesses such as distributors from other regions such as Europe and the Americas, it is a good opportunity to checkout this event to find out some upcoming products and airsoft tech to bring to their customers.

Whilst many would think of the SHOT Show in the U.S. and the IWA Outdoor Classics as the trade fairs where to strike deals with airsoft, and they are correct as most of the known airsoft companies will be there, visiting MOA Exhibition opens a lot of opportunities for checking the smaller companies that do not exhibit outside of Taiwan. There are many smaller shops doing innovations in airsoft that checking them out in person is the best thing to do.

Taiwan is the centre of the airsoft industry now with many airsoft companies established in the different cities in the island. Even some Hong Kong and China-based airsoft companies have already moved to Taiwan just to be near where the action in airsoft innovation is taking place. Being the centre of the airsoft industry, it might as well take bigger ambitions in having these trade fairs happen in Taiwan.

So if you are ready to see what’s happening in the airsoft industry, then better book that plane to Taipei. The MOA Exhibition is not as massive as the SHOT Show and IWA Outdoor Classics, not yet, but it aims to be like them over the years. Rest assured, you get to see some of the upcoming innovations in airsoft at this trade exhibit.

So here are the details:

MOA EXHIBITION 2018
7 – 9 December 2018
Taipei World Trade Center
No. 5, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District
Taipei City, 110
https://moaexpo.info/

Last May, we wrote about the Star Wars Boba Fett movie production proceeding, getting the hopes up of those who finally want to have a story of the famous space bounty hunter. But now, we get the news that the movie won’t be happening soon as the movies not in development anymore. Lucasfilm’s big boss Kathleen Kennedy has confirmed this according to Entertainment Weekly.

As the EW’s first line in the story says, “The Boba Fett movie has been frozen in carbonate.” So don’t expect it to be put in production anytime soon. But it is just there and it can be revived by the Disney and Lucasfilm if they think it’s time for it to be thawed back into the world.

One reason is said to be that the Star Wars universe is getting to be overwhelming with one or two releases each year. During the time of George Lucas, the release took over a decade that there was pent up demand for Star Wars movie that it is one of the surefire billion-dollar movie franchises. A point in case is the release of the spin-off Han Solo: A Star Wars Story which underperformed in the box office, the lowest earning Star Wars movie at US$392 million on a budget of US$300 million. Rouge One: A Star Wars Story remains to be spin-off movie that has grossed over a billion dollars.

The Boba Fett spin-off has been toyed around since 2013, the plan being Boba Fett and a bunch of other galactic bounty hunters seen in Empire Strikes Back. But plans to present it to the public were cancelled given that directors for the movie left.

But don’t despair as there is another Disney project for their planned streaming service. Called the Mandalorian live actionn series and according to Jon Favreau’s post on Instagram, the story is set after Boba and Jango Fett and as another Mandalorian warrior arises after the downfall of the Empire and before the rise of the First Order. It is about a gunfighter in the outer fringes of the Galaxy far from the reach of the New Republic.

Photo: Initial photo of the Mandalorian (Credit: Lucasfilm)

As for the Star Wars: Episode IX, no official title has been announced yet. It will be directed by J.J. Abrams who directed Episode VII, The Force Awakens.

Top photo: Person in Boba Fett costume at Yokota Air Base, Japan in 2016 (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David Owsianka)

We want to install weapon lights on our pistols. While pistols are useful for close quarters, you will need a weapon light to use them in such games as close quarters battles are usually low light areas where visibility is poor with darkened corners. It’s easy to find weaponlights for our pistols nowadays, but finding holsters to fit weapon lights is always an issue.

But what if you can just use your regular holster? If you are Glock owner, then the problem is solved with this lighting solution from Deadpoint: have the weapon light installed also as a guide rod inside your Glock pistol.

Deadpoint have developed 90-lumen guide rod weapon lights for Glock pistols.  For now its available for Gen 4 Glock 17/22/31, Gen 4 Glock 19/23/32, Gen 3 Glock 17/22/31, and Gen 3 Glock 19/23/32 pistols. If you purchase one, the package includes: a 03 Stainless Steel Guide Rod, Cree LED, Wolff Recoil Spring, 9v Battery, Extended Take Down Lever, and Ambidextrous On/Off Control.

To install a Deadpoint Guide Rod Weapon Light on a compatible Glock Pistol, all you need to do is replace the factory installed takedown lever and guide rod. The On/Off switch is the Extended Take Down Lever itself which makes it ambidextrous to use, which is really a good touch while the weapon light is house in the Stainless Steel Guide Rod.

Here is a quick video showing you how to install the weapon light:

The battery is a small 9-volt battery that also goes into the guide rod. As for total runtime with the battery, it can give you 45 minutes of runtime before it needs to be replaced.

Once is installed, it’s ready to go and you do not need another holster just to accommodate the weaponlight as it is already inside the pistol so just use any existing compatible holster. 90 lumens may be a underwhelming but it will do the job when you need a weapon light quick as it’s already there ready to go.

Will it fit airsoft versions of the Glock versions that is already compatible with? We are not sure though so you will need to check with them first. Externally, the airsoft Glocks may have the same dimensions as the real deal Glock pistols, but are their guide rods and recoil spring the same in size that fitting in a Deadpoint weapon light is a cinch?

The Deadpoint weapon lights for Glock pistols are now available for US$199.00.

Tonight, it’s Halloween, and many of you probably have planned to don costumes to join in trick or treating. While it’s totally fun doing this tradition, with all those crazy costumes that neighbors put on, young or old, you might be planning to bring your airsoft gun as a prop.

We tell you, as we do each year, please don’t.

Bringing a replica firearm such as an airsoft gun in public is not exactly welcome, especially by law enforcement. Also, it might be illegal to brandish a replica firearm in public in your location that you might just end up in jail rather than end up in an awesome house party within your block. Even if you put an orange tip or some bright color to your airsoft gun, sometimes it won’t just pass muster, especially at night when people come in different shapes and colors in their costumes.

So, forget about that airsoft gun just for one night. There are lots of opportunities to bring it like the next airsoft game or perhaps that Cosplay event that allows cosplayers to bring airsoft guns as long as they follow safety rules.

Many airsoft retailers, organizations and companies have put out their PSAs and here are some of the posts:

Even Tokyo Marui put out their own Halloween PSA:

Happy Halloween!